Donors urgently needed
The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.
Blood Donation Opportunities in Brookfield
6/30/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, 138 Candlewood Lake Rd.
7/7/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Raymour & Flanigan - Brookfield, 14 Candlewood Lake Road
Right now, the Red Cross is working around the clock to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care.
In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations and resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout. The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday break − patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions.
Donors are needed now to prevent further delays to patient care. Schedule an appointment to give blood now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
As a thank-you, all those who come to give July 1-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat, while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). (Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel).
In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 28-July 15 in Fairfield County
Bridgeport
6/30/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Bridgeport Hospital, 200 Mill Hill Avenue
6/30/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Bridgeport Hospital, 200 Mill Hill Avenue
7/7/2021: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue
7/7/2021: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue
Brookfield
6/30/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, 138 Candlewood Lake Rd.
7/7/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Raymour & Flanigan - Brookfield, 14 Candlewood Lake Road
Danbury
7/1/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Avenue
7/8/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Holiday Inn, 80 Newtown Rd.
7/8/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Holiday Inn, 80 Newtown Rd.
7/14/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd.
7/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Danbury Fair Mall, 7 Backus Avenue
Fairfield
6/28/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Black Rock Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike
6/28/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Black Rock Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike
7/7/2021: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Road
Monroe
7/10/2021: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Beacon Hill Evangelical Free Church, 371 Old Zoar Road
New Canaan
7/13/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Saint Mark's Church, 111 Oenoke Ridge Road
New Fairfield
7/2/2021: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., New Fairfield Company A Volunteer Fire Department, 302 Ball Pond Road
7/13/2021: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., New Fairfield Company A Volunteer Fire Department, 302 Ball Pond Road
Norwalk
6/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
6/30/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
7/2/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
7/2/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
7/6/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
7/6/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street
Shelton
7/9/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street
Stamford
7/6/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stamford Church of Christ, 1264 High Ridge Road
7/10/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., 800 Long Ridge Road, 800 Long Ridge Road
Stratford
7/8/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Health Department, 468 Birdseye Street
7/8/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Raymond T. Goldbach VFW Post, 100 Veterans Boulevard
Trumbull
6/29/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road
7/8/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road
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.