Emergency blood shortage: Red Cross supply drops 25% | August 5, 2024
Emergency blood shortage: Red Cross supply drops 25%
Donors urged to give as extreme heat, travel plans threaten already low blood levels
$20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email for coming to give in August
Aug. 5, 2024 — The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces dangerous levels of heat and people head out for final summer travel plans. Since July 1, the Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25%, and blood donors of all types, especially those with type O blood, are urged to give as soon as possible to help patients receive lifesaving medical care.
Heat impacted almost 100 blood drives in July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood – compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation, such as travel and summer activities. Together these factors contributed to a shortfall of more than 17,000 blood donations in July. At the same time, hospital demand for blood products remains strong. Blood products are being sent to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Right now, type O inventory is so low, distributions of this vital blood type are reduced below what hospitals count on.
“It’s critical hospitals have both type O positive and O negative blood ready to go for patients in the most life-threatening situations,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “Type O is especially important for victims of accidents and other trauma who are receiving emergency treatment. Now is the time for donors of all blood types to give and ensure hospital shelves can be restocked before any impact to patient care.”
The Red Cross is working with hospitals around-the-clock to meet the blood needs of patients – but can’t do it alone. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a thank-you, those who come give blood, platelets or plasma Aug. 1-31, 2024, will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 5-31:
Perry
Crooksville
8/6/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Douglas E. Cannon Family Rec Center, 100 S. Buckeye St.
New Lexington
8/16/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., New Lexington City Building, 215 S. Main St.
8/28/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Lexington High School, 2547 Panther Drive
Somerset
8/15/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Somerset American Legion, 107 East Gay St.
Thornville
8/10/2024: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thornville Masonic Lodge, 44 E. Columbus Street
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Athens
Athens
8/6/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.
8/8/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland Methodist Church, 60 Pomeroy Rd
8/13/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.
8/21/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross Athens County Chapter, 100 May Ave.
8/28/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., American Red Cross Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.
Glouster
8/30/2024: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Trimble High School, One Tomcat Drive
Nelsonville
8/14/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stuart's Opera House, 52 Public Square
8/27/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Hocking College Recreation Center, 3301 Hocking Parkway
The Plains
8/12/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Plains United Methodist Church, 3 North Plains Rd
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Coshocton
Coshocton
8/14/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., NewPointe Community Church Coshocton, 23801 C.R. 621
Walhonding
8/12/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., New Castle Church, 32421 US RT 36
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Guernsey
Byesville
8/21/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Stop Nine Church of Christ, 60330 Southgate Rd
Cambridge
8/9/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center, 1341 N. Clark Street
8/20/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., First Baptist Church, 136 E.8th Street
8/23/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Guernsey County Crossroads Branch Library, 63500 Byesville Road
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Licking
Croton
8/9/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hartford Fair, 14028 Fairgrounds Road
Etna
8/22/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Daybreak Church, 1226 Pike Street
8/22/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Daybreak Church, 1226 Pike Street
Heath
8/14/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Cornerstone Church, 4905 Jacksontown RD
Hebron
8/29/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hebron New Life Church, 925 W Main St
Johnstown
8/24/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Legion Post 254, 180 West Maple
Newark
8/6/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
8/7/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
8/9/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
8/13/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking County Health Department, 675 Price Road
8/13/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
8/13/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 50 N 2nd St
8/16/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
8/16/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Faith and Family Center, 45 Granville Street
8/20/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
8/23/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
8/23/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Memorial Hospital, 1320 West Main Street
8/27/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ohio State Newark Warner Library and Student Center, 1219 University Dr
8/27/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
8/30/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
Pataskala
8/7/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW
8/12/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street
8/21/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street
8/28/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW
8/30/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street
Utica
8/15/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Utica Church of Christ, 115 N Central Ave
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Morgan
Malta
8/26/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Malta Methodist Church Youth Building, 115 Fourth Street
Stockport
8/7/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stockport Community Church, 3455 Market St.
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Muskingum
Adamsville
8/26/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Adamsville Community Center, 8200 Madison Road
Duncan Falls
8/28/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wayne Twp. Building, 216 Bridge Street
Nashport
8/6/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 1105, 5805 Frazeysburg Road
Norwich
8/6/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., East 40 Church of Christ, 7522 E. Pike
Zanesville
8/5/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
8/13/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
8/19/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
8/27/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Secrest Auditorium, 334 Shinnick Street
8/29/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
_______________
Perry
Crooksville
8/6/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Douglas E. Cannon Family Rec Center, 100 S. Buckeye St.
New Lexington
8/16/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., New Lexington City Building, 215 S. Main St.
8/28/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Lexington High School, 2547 Panther Drive
Somerset
8/15/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Somerset American Legion, 107 East Gay St.
Thornville
8/10/2024: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thornville Masonic Lodge, 44 E. Columbus Street
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
