Red Cross: Donors needed now to address historically low blood supply

Limited-edition long-sleeved T-shirts for those who come to give around holidays

Nearly two years into the pandemic, everyone has earned a holiday break with their family and friends. But as the nation gathers again for celebrations this season, the American Red Cross, which provides 40% of the country’s blood, is facing historically low blood supply levels.

Busy holiday schedules, breaks from school and winter weather all contribute to a drop in blood donations this time of year. Those factors, combined with the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, make it vital for donors to make an appointment to give as soon as possible. If more donors don’t come forward to give blood, some patients requiring a transfusion may potentially face delays in care

Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). There is no blood donation waiting period for those who have received a flu shot or a Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or booster, so long as they are symptom-free.   

To encourage donors to help address the historically low blood supply this holiday season, all who come to give Dec. 17-Jan. 2 will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.

Blood drive safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 17-Jan. 2

 

MD Allegany

Cumberland

12/27/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., UPMC Western Maryland, 12500 Willowbrook Rd SE

Ellerslie

12/27/2021: 1:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Calvary Bible Church, 13901 South Gardner Ave

Frostburg

12/30/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., God’s Ark of Safety, 18606 Cherry Lane SW

LaVale

12/20/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Gonzaga Comprehensive Rehabilitation, 957 National Highway

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Garrett

Oakland

12/17/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Garrett County Health Department, 1025 Memorial Drive

Swanton

12/23/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Swanton Community Center, 3335 Swanton Road

WV Braxton

Gassaway

12/21/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Braxton County Memorial Hospital, 100 Hoylman Drive

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Harrison

Bridgeport

12/29/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Benedum Center, 164 West Main Street

12/30/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Meadowbrook Mall Bridgeport, 2399 Meadowbrook Mall Rd

Clarksburg

12/22/2021: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., Robinson Grand, 444 W Pike St.

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Mineral

Burlington

12/30/2021: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Burlington Volunteer Fire Department, Rt 50

Fort Ashby

12/28/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Fort Ashby Fire Hall, Rte 28 and Dans Run Road, Box 195 PO Box 1110

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Monongalia

Morgantown

12/17/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., RSMO Am Red Cross Morgantown, 1299 Pineview Drive, Suite 300

12/21/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wiles Hill Community Center, 287 Eureka Drive

12/23/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion Post 174, 3470 Earl L Core Rd

12/27/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 150 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive

12/28/2021: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mon Health Medical Center, 1200 JD Anderson Drive

12/29/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Health Science Center South Tower, 1 Medical Center Drive

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Pendleton

Franklin

12/20/2021: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Pendleton County Library, Main St, PO Box 519

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Randolph

Mill Creek

12/20/2021: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Mill Creek Memorial Union Mission Church, 219/250 South, P.O. Box 240

Save time during the donation

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

Health insights for donors

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.

Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.