PRESS RELEASE (July 9, 2019) — Following a difficult Fourth of July week for blood and platelet donations and ongoing challenges finding new blood donors, the American Red Cross now faces a blood shortage and has issued an emergency call for eligible individuals of all blood types to give now and prevent delays in medical care.
About 450 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups last week than during a typical week as people across the country celebrated the holiday with activities and travel. This led to about 17,000 fewer blood donations than needed for patients in a single week, causing the Red Cross to now have less than a three-day supply of most blood types available — and less than a two-day supply of type O blood — for patients. At least a five-day supply is desired.
“Medical emergencies and critical treatments don’t stop for holiday celebrations. Patients depend on lifesaving blood transfusions every day,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “Right now, the Red Cross only has less than a three-day supply when we need a five-day supply to be prepared for all situations that require blood products. To help meet this need, we’ve added about 8,000 additional appointments at blood donation centers and community blood drives over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. But we need people to fill those appointments, please join us today.”
Missing Types sees encouraging response, but all donors needed now
In June, the Red Cross launched the Missing Types campaign to encourage donors – especially new donors and those who have not donated in the past years — to give blood or platelets during the challenging summer months. Through the campaign, the letters A, B, and O — letters that make up the main blood groups — disappeared from popular brands to symbolize what happens when blood goes missing from hospital shelves during blood shortages.
Despite an encouraging response to the campaign, blood donations still fell short of expectations in June, resulting in more than 24,000 fewer donations than needed, and causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply.
“Blood is only available when generous blood and platelet donors roll up a sleeve to give, and right now, all donors — especially those give have never given or haven’t given in a while — are urged to make an appointment to give today,” Numark added.
How to help
Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to make an appointment to donate using the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.
Those interested in hosting a blood drive can learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive this summer by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 9-31
IA
Clinton
Clinton
7/9/2019: 1-6PM, Community Reformed Church, 747 N 12th Street
7/12/2019: 1-6PM, Prince of Peace Catholic School, 312 South 4th Street
7/23/2019: 8AM-1PM, Community Reformed Church, 747 N 12th Street
7/31/2019: 2-6PM, Community Reformed Church, 747 N 12th Street
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Lee
Donnellson
7/12/2019: 12-5PM, Pilot Grove Bank, 516 Main Street
Fort Madison
7/18/2019: 12:30-5:30PM, Union Presbyterian Church, 719 Avenue F
Keokuk
7/11/2019: 12-6PM, Trinity United Methodist Church, 2330 Plank Road
8/1/2019: 12-6PM, Evangelical Free Church, 2315 S 7th Street
Montrose
7/22/2019: 1:30-5:30PM, Ivor Fowler Community Center, 710 Main Street (Hwy 404)
IL
Carroll
Mount Carroll
7/19/2019: 1-6PM, Church of God, 816 S Clay
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Henry
Cambridge
7/25/2019: 2-6PM, St John's Vianney Church, 313 S West Street
Geneseo
7/25/2019: 2-6PM, Geneseo First Presbyterian Church, 133 E North St
Kewanee
7/10/2019: 2-6PM, First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St
7/12/2019: 11AM-4PM, Kewanee First United Methodist Church, 108 East Central Blvd
7/24/2019: 2-6PM, First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St
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Lee
Dixon
7/15/2019: 1-6PM, Dixon Post House, 100 W Second Street
7/23/2019: 1-6PM, Elk's Lodge, 1279 Franklin Grove Rd
7/30/2019: 12:30-5:30PM, Knights of Columbus Hall, 506 West Third
8/8/2019: 1-6PM, St. Patricks Church, 612 Highland
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Mercer
Aledo
7/16/2019: 11:30AM-5:30PM, VFW Hall, 106 SW 3rd Ave
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Rock Island
Moline
8/2/2019: 9AM-2PM, Moline Hy Vee, 750 42nd Ave Dr
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Whiteside
Morrison
7/18/2019: 12-6PM, United Methodist Church, 200 West Lincolnway
Rock Falls
7/17/2019: 9AM-2PM, Rock Falls Community Building, 601 W 10th Street
Sterling
7/24/2019: 1-6PM, Morningside of Sterling, 2705 Avenue E
7/31/2019: 9:30AM-2:30PM, Sterling Exceptional Care Training Center, 2601 Woodlawn Road
8/1/2019: 9AM-2:30PM, Sterling Bethel Reformed Church, 230 E 23rd Street
8/1/2019: 1:30-6:30PM, Sterling Bethel Reformed Church, 230 E 23rd Street
Tampico
7/11/2019: 2-7PM, Tampico United Methodist Church, 202 Lincoln Street, PO Box 336
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
