Red Cross seeks donors amid emergency blood shortage

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces dangerous levels of heat and people head out for final summer travel plans.

Since July 1, the Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25%, and blood donors of all types, especially those with type O blood, are urged to give as soon as possible to help patients receive lifesaving medical care.

Heat disrupted almost 100 blood drives in July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood — compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation, such as travel and summer activities. Together, these factors contributed to a shortfall of more than 17,000 blood donations in July. At the same time, hospital demand for blood products remains strong. Blood products are being sent to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Right now, type O inventory is so low that distributions of this vital blood type are reduced below what hospitals count on.

“It’s critical hospitals have both type O positive and O negative blood ready to go for patients in the most life-threatening situations,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “Type O is especially important for victims of accidents and other trauma who are receiving emergency treatment. Now is the time for donors of all blood types to give and ensure hospital shelves can be restocked before any impact to patient care.”

To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, those who come give blood, platelets or plasma from Aug. 1-31 will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.

Blood drives are scheduled at the following locations:

BAILEY

• Aug. 17 — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., White Oak Hill Free Will Baptist Church, 3967 W. Hornes Church Road.

COOPERS COMMUNITY

• Aug. 8 — 1-6 p.m., Southside Baptist Church, 4948 Carter Road (Elm City address)

NASHVILLE

• Aug. 20 — 2-6 p.m., Nashville Baptist Church, 512 E. Washington St.

ROCKY MOUNT

• Aug. 9 — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Englewood Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Englewood Drive

• Aug. 11 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Rocky Mount Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2045 S. Halifax Road

• Aug. 22 — 2-6 p.m., West Mount Volunteer Fire Department, 7955 West Mount Drive

• Aug. 26 — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Harrison Family YMCA, 1000 Independence Drive

• Aug. 26 — 1:30-6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, 200 S. Church St.

• Aug. 27 — 1-6 p.m., Riverbend Church, 9853 N.C. Highway 97 E.

• Aug. 28 — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Carolina Wesleyan University, 3400 N. Wesleyan Blvd.

WILSON

• Aug. 6 — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 U.S. Highway 264 NW

• Aug. 6 — 2-6 p.m., Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 U.S. Highway 264 NW

• Aug. 15 — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Forest Hills Baptist Church, 1407 Forest Hills Road

• Aug. 22 — Noon to 6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Wilson, 311 Nash St. W.

• Aug. 23 — Noon to 5:15 p.m., Foundation YMCA of Wilson, 233 Nash St. N.

• Aug. 27 — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 202 Goldsboro St. N.

• Aug. 29 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hubert Vester Chevrolet, 3717 Raleigh Road Parkway W.

TARBORO

• Aug. 8 — 2-6 p.m., Braswell Center Tarboro, 1500 Western Blvd.

• Aug. 26 — 2:45-7 p.m., St. James United Methodist Church, 211 E. Saint James St.

HALIFAX

• Aug. 7 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Halifax County Agricultural Center, 359 Ferrell Lane.

ROANOKE RAPIDS

• Aug. 6 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kirkwood H. Adams Community Center, 1100 Hamilton St.

• Aug. 8 — 3-7 p.m., First Christian Church, 839 Roanoke Ave.

• Aug. 21 — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 901 Washington St.

The post Red Cross seeks donors amid emergency blood shortage first appeared on Restoration NewsMedia .