The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelets, urging all eligible donors to give now to replenish an extremely low summer blood supply.

Blood donations have fallen short of hospital needs for the past few months, resulting in about 39,000 fewer donations than what’s needed, as well as a significant draw down of the overall Red Cross blood supply. In addition, the Independence Day holiday may have caused many regular donors to postpone donations due to vacation plans. A recent Red Cross poll revealed that more than 75 percent of donors surveyed indicated vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after July 4.

“Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which is why we are making this emergency request for donations,” said Tiffany Taylor, external communications manager of the Red Cross River Valley Blood Services Region.  “Donations are urgently needed now to meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks. If you’ve thought about giving blood and helping to save lives, now is the time to do it. It’s the blood donations on the shelves that help save lives when an emergency occurs.”

-by Tiffany Taylor │External Communications Manager, American Red Cross River Valley & Tennessee Valley Regions - Biomedical Field Marketing and Communications

How to Help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites to allow for more donors to make an appointment to give. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to avoid longer wait times. Donors with all blood types are needed.

Those unable to give can still help by encouraging others to give through a SleevesUp virtual blood drive at redcrossblood.org/sleevesup, giving of their time through volunteerism or making a financial donation to support Red Cross humanitarian work across the country and around the world.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Berea Mennonite Church, 216 S. Main St., Cannelburg, IN, 47519 on 7/14/2016: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

New Hope Christian Church, 559 E. 100 St., Washington, IN 47501 on 7/12/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Stockwell Blood Donation Center, 29 S. Stockwell Road, Evansville, IN 47714

  • 7/5/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
  • 7/8/2016: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • 7/12/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
  • 7/15/2016: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Walmart, 335 S. Red Bank Road, Evansville, IN 47712 on 7/8/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

American Red Cross Southwestern Indiana Chapter, 29 S. Stockwell Road, Evansville, IN 47714 on 7/11/2016: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

St. Mary's Medical Center / The Manor, 3700 Washington Ave., Evansville, IN 4775 on 07/12/2016: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m

Lynnville United Methodist Church / Church Annex, 200 E. Third St., Lynnville, IN 47619 on 7/9/2016: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Owensboro Christian Church, 2818 New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303 on 7/13/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Dixie United Methodist Church, 7033 Wheeler Road, Corydon, KY 42406
7/9/2016: 8 a.m. - noon

Zion Baptist Church, 8158 Highway 351, Henderson, KY 42420
7/5/2016: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Bethel Mennonite Church, 9335 N. 900 E., Odon, IN 47562
7/22/2016: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Ferdinand Community Center, 1710 Community Drive, Ferdinand, IN 47532
7/27/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Holland United Methodist Church, 205 N. Second Ave., Holland, IN 47541
7/19/2016: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

VFW Post 2366, 314 Geiger St., Huntingburg, IN 47542
7/26/2016: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

St. Paul Catholic Church, 824 Jefferson St., Tell City, IN 47586
7/29/2016: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Mary Help of Christians Church, 6827 E. County Road 1930 N., Mariah Hill, IN 47556
7/17/2016: 7 a.m. - noon

Spencer County Health Department, 200 Main St., Rockport, IN 47635
7/27/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Stockwell Blood Donation Center, 29 S. Stockwell Road, Evansville, IN 47714
7/19/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
7/22/2016: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
7/26/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
7/29/2016: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Deaconess Hospital, 600 Mary St., Evansville, IN 47747 on 7/20/2016: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Eagle Crest Blvd, 7100 Eagle Crest Blvd., Evansville, IN 47715 on 7/21/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Good Shepherd Catholic Church / School, 2301 North Stockwell Road, Evansville, IN 47715 on 7/24/2016: 8 a.m. - noon

Boonville-Warrick County Public Library, 611 W. Main St., Boonville, IN 47601 on 7/20/2016: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Cash Creek Baptist Church, 19113 state Route 1078 S., Henderson, KY 42420 on 7/30/2016: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

First Baptist Church of Taylorsville, 115 W. Main St., Taylorsville, KY 40071 on 7/26/2016: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

First Baptist Church, 12100 state Route 132 E., Sebree, KY 42455 on 7/28/2016: 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Who Blood Donations Help

Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant procedures, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.

Because of generous donors, the Red Cross is able to provide blood products to patients like seven-year-old Audrey Nethery, who needs regular blood transfusions as part of her treatment for Diamond Blackfan anemia, a rare condition where her body doesn’t make enough red blood cells..

“I am so appreciative of the individuals whose blood is within my daughter at this very moment,” said Scott Nethery, Audrey’s father. “Without blood, my little angel would not be with us today.”

Watch Audrey’s story to learn how blood donations can make a lifesaving difference.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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.

by Tiffany Taylor │External Communications Manager, American Red Cross River Valley & Tennessee Valley Regions - Biomedical Field Marketing and Communications

 

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