News Release
Red Cross issues emergency call for blood and platelet donations to address significant shortage
FARMINGTON, Ct (July 5, 2016) — The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelets, urging all eligible donors to give now to replenish an extremely low summer blood supply.
Blood donations have fallen short of hospital needs for the past few months, resulting in about 39,000 fewer donations than what’s needed, as well as a significant draw down of the overall Red Cross blood supply. In addition, the Independence Day holiday may have caused many regular donors to postpone donations due to vacation plans. A recent Red Cross poll revealed that more than 75 percent of donors surveyed indicated vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after July 4.
“Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which is why we are making this emergency request for donations,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “Donations are urgently needed now to meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks. If you’ve thought about giving blood and helping to save lives, now is the time to do it. It’s the blood donations on the shelves that help save lives when an emergency occurs.”
How to Help
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visitredcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites to allow for more donors to make an appointment to give. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to avoid longer wait times. Donors with all blood types are needed.
Those unable to give can still help by encouraging others to give through a SleevesUp virtual blood drive at redcrossblood.org/sleevesup, giving of their time through volunteerism or making a financial donation to support Red Cross humanitarian work across the country and around the world.
Who Blood Donations Help
Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant procedures, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
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New London
Waterford
7/12/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., VNA of Southeastern CT, 403 North Frontage Road
Lebanon
7/13/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lebanon Senior Center, 37 West Town ST. #R
Groton
7/14/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Groton City Municipal Building, 295 Meridian Street Extension
Jewett City
7/14/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., French Club, 1 Wilson St Ext
Uncasville
7/18/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., St. Bernard’s School, 1593 Norwich-New London Tnpk
New London
7/22/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 365 Montauk Avenue
Old Lyme
7/8/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Old Lyme Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street
Waterford
7/8/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Waterford Town Hall, 15 Rope Ferry Road
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Tolland
Tolland
7/14/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Cardio Express – Tolland, 200 Merrow Rd
Stafford Springs
7/19/2016: 11:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Johnson Memorial Hospital, Route 190
7/23/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 8 Church St.
Somers
7/23/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Somers Congregational Church, P.O. Box 295, 599 Main Street
Rockville
7/25/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., ROCKVILLE GENERAL HOSPITAL, 31 Union St
Bolton
7/6/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Bolton High School, 72 Brandy Street
Coventry
7/6/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Dunkin Donuts, 3516 Main Street
Storrs
7/8/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., UCONN Student Union, Glenbrook Rd
Tolland
7/8/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Gerber Technology, 24 Industrial Park Road West
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Windham
Canterbury
7/11/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Canterbury Community Center, 1 Municipal Drive
Brooklyn
7/12/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Creamery Brook Retirement Village, 36 Vina Lane
Plainfield
7/15/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Day Kimball Plainfield, 12 Lathrop Rd
Willimantic
7/19/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Elks Club, 198 Pleasant Street
Putnam
7/19/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Putnam Elks Club, 64 Edmond St.
7/19/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Putnam Elks Club, 64 Edmond St.
Willimantic
7/5/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., East Brook Mall, 95 Storrs Road
7/8/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Windham Hospital, 112 Mansfield Ave.
7/8/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Windham Hospital, 112 Mansfield Ave.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.