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.
Ridgefield residents can donate blood on 2/14/2019 (Valentine's Day) 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Ridgefield Park & Recreation Center, 195 Danbury Rd. Additional Red Cross Blood Drives in Fairfield County are listed below.
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.
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.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Fairfield County Jan. 14-Feb. 15
Bethel
2/2/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Bethel United Methodist Church, 141 Greenwood Avenue
Bridgeport
1/15/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Mount Aery Baptist Church, 73 Frank Street
1/31/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Avenue
2/11/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Congregation B'nai Israel, 2710 Park Avenue
2/15/2019: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., University of Bridgeport Student Center, 244 University Avenue
Brookfield
1/22/2019: 1 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Raymour & Flanigan, 14 Candlewood Lake Road
2/12/2019: 1 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Raymour & Flanigan, 14 Candlewood Lake Road
Danbury
1/15/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Gethsemane Baptist Church International, 8 Delay Street
1/19/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ann's Place, 80 Saw Mill Road
1/21/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Danbury Fire Department, 19 New Street
2/5/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Western Connecticut State University Westside Campus Center, Westside Campus, Lake Ave.
2/6/2019: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Danbury Hospital RSM, 24 Hospital Avenue
2/6/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Western CT State University, 181 White Street
2/7/2019: 11:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Western CT State University, 181 White Street
Darien
2/7/2019: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Darien Library, 1441 Post Road
2/12/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Road
Fairfield
1/23/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Thomas Braun Orthodontics, 427 Stillson Road Suite 12
1/25/2019: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., YMCA, 841 Old Post Road
2/5/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Whole Foods, 350 Grasmere Avenue
2/8/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, 1045 Old Academy Road
2/12/2019: 11 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Fairfield University Student Center, 1073 North Benson Road
2/13/2019: 11 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road
2/14/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 661 Old Post Road
Greenwich
1/28/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., YMCA of Greenwich, 50 East Putnam Avenue
1/29/2019: 9:15 a.m. - 3 p.m., Blue Sky Studios, INC., One American Lane
1/30/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Greenwich Hospital, 5 Perryridge Road
1/30/2019: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Greenwich Country Day School, Old Church Road
2/4/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Temple Sholom, 300 East Putnam Avenue
2/13/2019: 11:15 a.m. - 5 p.m., Greenwich Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road
2/15/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1 West Putnam Ave
Monroe
2/2/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., I.B.E.W. Local 488, 721 Main Street
2/8/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Masuk High School, 1014 Monroe Turnpike
2/14/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Beacon Hill Evangelical Free Church, 371 Old Zoar Road
New Canaan
2/8/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Canaan Library, 151 Main Street
Norwalk
2/7/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Avalon - East Norwalk, 8 Norden Place
2/8/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Norwalk Hospital, 34 Maple Street
Redding
1/24/2019: 12:45 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Patrick's Church, 169 Black Rock Tpke
Ridgefield
2/14/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Ridgefield Park & Recreation Center, 195 Danbury Rd.
Ridgeway
2/3/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 1035 Newfield Avenue
Riverside
1/18/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., St. Catherine's Church, 4 Riverside Avenue
Shelton
1/18/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street
2/1/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street
2/8/2019: 7 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Dianon Systems, 1 Forest Parkway
2/15/2019: 8 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., R.D.Scinto, 2 Corporate Drive
South Norwalk
2/12/2019: 11 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Norwalk Community College, 188 Richards Avenue
Stamford
1/26/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tully Health Center, 32 Strawberry Hill Court
1/27/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Agudath Sholom synagogue, 301 Strawberry Hill Avenue
2/9/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tully Health Center, 32 Strawberry Hill Court
Stratford
1/24/2019: 1:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 2000 Main Street
2/8/2019: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Fright Haven, 411 Barnum Avenue Cutoff
Trumbull
1/14/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Grace Episcopal Church, 5958 Main Street
2/2/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Spring Meadows, 6949 Main Street
2/12/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Maefair Health Care Center, 21 Maefair Ct
Wilton
2/15/2019: 9:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., YMCA, 404 Danbury Road
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification 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 have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.