Donors urgently needed: Red Cross still facing severe blood shortage | June 28, 2021
Donors urgently needed: Red Cross still facing severe blood shortage
Hospital blood demand remains high as nation heads into holiday week
CENTRAL & SOUTHERN, OH – JUNE 28, 2021— The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Donors of all blood types – especially type O – are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.
Right now, the Red Cross is working around the clock to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care.
In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations and resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout. The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday break − patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions.
Donors are needed now to prevent further delays to patient care. Schedule an appointment to give blood now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
As a thank-you, all those who come to give July 1-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat by mail,* while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). (Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel).
In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 28-July 15
Perry
Crooksville
7/8/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Crooksville Elementary School, 4065 School Rd
New Lexington
7/1/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Rose PCC - Community Center, 120 Water St.
New Straitsville
7/6/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., New Straitsville United Methodist Church, 101 Clark St.
7/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., New Straitsville United Methodist Church, 101 Clark St.
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Athens
Athens
7/6/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., O'Bleness Hospital, 55 Hospital Drive
7/8/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.
7/12/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., OU Inn, 331 Richland Avenue
7/13/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Athens Recreation Center, 701 E. State Street
7/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Christ the King Church, 75 Stewart St.
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Coshocton
Coshocton
7/2/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street
7/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jeff Drennen Chrysler, 1921 Otsego Avenue
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Fairfield
Lancaster
7/3/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Lancaster, 1071 Sheridan Drive
7/5/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Johns Family Community Blood Drive, 343 E. Walnut St.
7/6/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 343 E. Walnut St.
Lithopolis
7/7/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Lithopolis UMC, 80 N. Market Street
7/10/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., Lithopolis United Methodist Church, 80 N. Market Street
Pickerington
7/1/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus, 1010 Refugee Road
7/2/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Rd. NW
7/8/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus, 1010 Refugee Road
7/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Rd. NW
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Fayette
Washington Court House
7/6/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church, 301 East Market Place
7/9/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fayette County Victim Witness Division, 133 S. Main St.
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Guernsey
Byesville
7/12/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stop Nine Church, 60325 Southgate Road
Cambridge
7/2/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center, 1341 N. Clark Street
7/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Guernsey County Crossroads Branch Library, 63500 Byesville Road
7/10/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cambridge Area YMCA Family Center, 1301 Clairmont Ave
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Hocking
Logan
7/13/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Matthew Lutheran, 258 Hunter St.
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Licking
Granville
7/14/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Centenary United Methodist Church, 102 E. Broadway
Hebron
7/8/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hebron New Life United Methodist Church, 925 West Main ST
Newark
7/2/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
7/6/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
7/9/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
7/11/2021: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Highwater Church, 1213 Dutch Lane Road
7/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
7/14/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Memorial Hospital, 1320 West Main Street
Pataskala
7/8/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW
Utica
7/15/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Utica Church of Christ, 115 North Central Avenue
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Madison
Plain City
7/8/2021: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Haven Fellowship Church, 7730 Converse-Huff Road
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Muskingum
Zanesville
7/1/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Colony Square Mall, 3575 Maple Avenue
7/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Secrest Auditorium, 334 Shinnick Street
7/7/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
7/12/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
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Noble
Caldwell
7/2/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Community Center, 44187 Fairgrounds Rd
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Perry
Crooksville
7/8/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Crooksville Elementary School, 4065 School Rd
New Lexington
7/1/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Rose PCC - Community Center, 120 Water St.
New Straitsville
7/6/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., New Straitsville United Methodist Church, 101 Clark St.
7/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., New Straitsville United Methodist Church, 101 Clark St.
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Pickaway
Circleville
7/6/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickaway County District Public Library, 1160 North Court Street
7/7/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 East Mound Street
7/7/2021: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 East Mound Street
7/9/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Amvets Post 2256-Circleville, 818 Tarlton Road
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Ross
Chillicothe
7/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Unioto High School, 1432 Egypt Pike
7/15/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St
Kingston
7/14/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Zane Trace High School, 946 St. Rt. 180
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Vinton
Mc Arthur
7/7/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., McArthur United Methodist Church, 200 S. Market St.
About blood donation
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Health insights for donors
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Blood drive safety
The Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Fully vaccinated individuals, including staff and donors, no longer need to wear masks or socially distance. Unvaccinated individuals continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face masks for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face mask while at the drive, in alignment with CDC guidance.
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/centralandsouthernoh or join us on Facebook and Twitter @ARCcsor, Instagram @Buckeyeredcross and LinkedIn ARC Central & Southern Ohio Region
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* Donors with a mailing address on file will receive their hat by mail approximately 2-4 weeks after their attempted donation.