Red Cross issues an emergency call for blood donors
A donation shortfall over the winter holidays is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now to prevent a blood shortage from continuing throughout winter and affecting patient care.
The Red Cross collected some 27,000 fewer blood and platelet donations the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s than needed to sustain a sufficient blood supply. During this period, about 1,350 fewer blood drives were hosted by volunteer sponsor groups than required to meet patient needs as busy holiday schedules kept many donors away.
Norwalk residents can donate blood at these times:
| Date | Place | Address |
|---|---|---|
| 2/7/2019: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Darien Library | 1441 Post Road, Darien |
| 2/12/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. | First Congregational Church of Darien | 14 Brookside Road, Darien |
| 1/23/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Thomas Braun Orthodontics | 427 Stillson Road Suite 12, Fairfield |
| 1/25/2019: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | YMCA | 841 Old Post Road, Fairfield |
| 2/5/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Whole Foods | 350 Grasmere Avenue, Fairfield |
| 2/8/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Greenfield Hill Congregational Church | 1045 Old Academy Road, Fairfield |
| 2/12/2019: 11 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Fairfield University Student Center | 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield |
| 2/13/2019: 11 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Fairfield University | 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield |
| 2/14/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. | St. Paul's Episcopal Church | 661 Old Post Road, Fairfield |
| 2/8/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | New Canaan Library | 151 Main Street, New Canaan |
| 2/7/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Avalon - East Norwalk | 8 Norden Place, Norwalk |
| 2/8/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Norwalk Hospital | 34 Maple Street, Norwalk |
| 2/3/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Jewish Community Center | 1035 Newfield Avenue, Ridgeway |
| 2/12/2019: 11 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Norwalk Community College | 188 Richards Avenue, South Norwalk |
| 1/26/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Tully Health Center | 32 Strawberry Hill Court, Stamford |
| 1/27/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Agudath Sholom synagogue | 301 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford |
| 2/9/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Tully Health Center | 32 Strawberry Hill Court, Stamford |
| 2/15/2019: 9:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. | YMCA | 404 Danbury Road, Wilton |
Right now, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types on hand, well below the ideal five-day supply needed to respond to emergencies and daily hospital needs. Blood products are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.
All eligible donors, especially platelet donors and blood donors with type O blood, are urged to make an appointment to give in the coming days to help restock the shelves for hospital patients.
Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter.