Emergency blood shortage: Red Cross issues an urgent call for blood donors
An emergency blood shortage is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now and help save lives.
The Red Cross escalated its call for blood and platelet donors after a difficult Independence Day week for donations. More than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups last week than during a typical week as individuals across the country celebrated the holiday and enjoyed summer activities. This could equate to as many as 15,000 fewer donations than needed, causing donations to now be distributed to hospitals faster than they come in.
“Each and every day, individuals across the country depend on blood and platelet donations for lifesaving treatments and emergency care, so it’s critical that people donate now to meet these needs,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “Whether you’ve never donated or give a couple of times a year, you’re needed to give as soon as possible to help save patient lives. Yours may be the donation a patient is counting on.”
This need is especially critical for type O blood donors. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first to be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations. Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.
How to help
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross has added about 6,500 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Fairfield County July 9-31
Bethel
7/30/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Scalzo Group, 2 Stony Hill Road, Suite 101A
Bridgeport
7/9/2018: 1 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue
Brookfield
7/13/2018: 1 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Raymour & Flanigan, 14 Candlewood Lake Road
7/28/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company, 92 Pocono Road
Danbury
7/18/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Danbury Hospital, 24 Hospital Ave
7/18/2018: 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Danbury Hospital, 24 Hospital Ave
7/31/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., The Crowne Plaza, 18 Old Ridgebury Road
Darien
7/12/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road
Fairfield
7/10/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fairfield Police, 100 Reef Rd
7/11/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Gaelic American Club, 74 Beach Road
7/19/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Center, 1719 Post Road
7/26/2018: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Ludlowe Center for Health and Rehabilitation, 118 Jefferson Street
Greenwich
2018-APL-01175
7/27/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1 West Putnam Ave
7/31/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Greenwich Hospital, 5 Perryridge Road
7/9/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Temple Sholom, 300 East Putnam Avenue
Monroe
7/19/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Dunkin Donuts / Baskin Robbins, 135 Main Street
New Canaan
7/17/2018: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Saint Mark's Church, 111 Oenoke Ridge Road
New Fairfield
7/17/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St. Edwards Catholic Church, 21 Brush Hill Road, Route 39
Norwalk
7/20/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Norwalk Hospital, Maple Street
7/27/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Norwalk City Hall, East Avenue
Redding Center
7/24/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Church of Christ, Congregational, 25 Cross Hwy, P.O Box 1055
Shelton
7/13/2018: 8 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., R.D. Scinto Towers, 2 Corporate Drive
7/27/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street
Stamford
7/21/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tully Health Center, 32 Strawberry Hill Court
Stratford
7/25/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ryders Partners, LLC, 88 Ryders Lane, Suite 208
Trumbull
7/18/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Middlebrook Farms of Trumbull, 2750 Reservoir Avenue
7/26/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Joseph's Center, 6448 Main Street
Wilton
7/27/2018: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd.
7/9/2018: 1 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Rd.