Blood shortage continues: Red Cross needs donors now

A thousand blood donations needed daily to prevent further delays in patient care

July 12, 2021— While donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to give this summer, the need for blood and platelets remains crucial for patients relying on lifesaving transfusions. The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage and donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give now.

Right now, the Red Cross needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day to meet current demand as hospitals respond to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, organ transplants and elective surgeries.

To thank donors who help refuel the blood and platelet supply this month, all who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card via email and will also receive automatic entry for a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). More information and details are available at rcblood.org/fuel. Also, all those who come to donate throughout the entire month of July will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm. To learn more, visit rcblood.org/CedarFair.

Donors who give now will help stock the shelves for the rest of the summer season. Schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets 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.

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 July 16-31

Perry

New Lexington

7/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Rose Catholic Church, 120 N. High St

Somerset

7/18/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Genesis Perry County Medical Center, 301 Dr. Mike Clouse Dr.

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Athens

Athens

7/27/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Baker Center, Ohio University Baker Center, 1 Park Place

7/30/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Athens Recreation Center, 701 E. State Street

Nelsonville

7/19/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stuart's Opera House, 52 Public Square

7/30/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Rocky Brands Outlet, 45 E. Canal St.

The Plains

7/28/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Athens High School, One High School Rd.

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Coshocton

Coshocton

7/20/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

7/21/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., NewPointe Community Church Coshocton, 23801 C.R. 621

7/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Coshocton Inn & Suites, 155 North Water Street

7/23/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

7/27/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Stret

Fresno

7/29/2021: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Chili Crossroads Bible Church, 29445 County Rd. 10

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Fairfield

Bremen

7/27/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bremen United Methodist Church, 205 Walnut St

Lancaster

7/19/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Crossroads, 2095 W. Fair Ave

7/29/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 343 E. Walnut St.

Pickerington

7/20/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Road NW

7/26/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 283, 7725 Refugee Rd. N.W.

Rushville

7/20/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Rushville Lions Club, 2960 Logan Thornville Road

Sugar Grove

7/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hide A Way Hills Club, 29042 Hide-A-Way Hills Rd

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Fayette

Jeffersonville

7/31/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Jeffersonville Lions Club, One Railroad Street

Washington Court House

7/19/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Crossroads Christian Church, 175 Halliday Way

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Guernsey

Cambridge

7/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., First Baptist Church, 136 E.8th Street

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Harrison

Cadiz

7/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Cadiz Volunteer Fire Department, 254 East Market Street

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Highland

Greenfield

7/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Greenfield McClain High School, 200 N. 5th Street

7/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Adena Greenfield Medical Center at Greenfield Area Christian Center, 910 N 5th Street

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Hocking

Logan

7/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Chieftain Center, 14470 State Route 328

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Licking

Etna

7/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Daybreak Church, 1226 Pike Street

Heath

7/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Indian Mound Mall, 771 S. 30th St

7/31/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Heath High School, 300 Licking View Drive

Johnstown

7/19/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Ascension Worship Center, 555 South Main St

Newark

7/16/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

7/20/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

7/20/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 76 East Main Street

7/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Licking Valley High School, 100 Hainsview Drive

7/23/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

7/27/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Trek Brewing Company, 1486 Granville Rd

7/27/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

7/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

Pataskala

7/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street

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Madison

London

7/16/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fairhaven School, 510 Elm Street

Plain City

7/17/2021: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Journey Community Church, 11100 Lafayette-Plain City Road

W Jefferson

7/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., West Jefferson Community Center, 230 Cemetery Rd

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Morgan

Stockport

7/21/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stockport United Methodist Church, 3455 Market St., P.O Box 116

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Muskingum

Frazeysburg

7/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Meadow View Church of Christ, 6750 Raiders Road

Zanesville

7/16/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bishop Fenwick Elementary, 1030 East Main St.

7/17/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., South Zanesville UMC, 53 E Main St

7/17/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Terrace Church of Christ, 1420 Brandywine Blvd

7/20/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

7/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Zanesville High School, 1701 Blue Avenue

7/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

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Perry

New Lexington

7/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Rose Catholic Church, 120 N. High St

Somerset

7/18/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Genesis Perry County Medical Center, 301 Dr. Mike Clouse Dr.

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Pickaway

Circleville

7/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 East Mound Street

7/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Circleville High School, 380 Clark Drive

7/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Amvets Post 2256-Circleville, 818 Tarlton Road

7/23/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Center, 777 E. Ohio St.

Williamsport

7/20/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Westfall High School, 19463 Pherson Pike

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Ross

Bainbridge

7/16/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Paint Valley High School, 7454 U.S. Route 50

Chillicothe

7/22/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Zion Baptist Church - Mill St, 536 Mill St.

7/23/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St

Frankfort

7/23/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Masonic Lodge #309, 23 W Springfield St.

7/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Masonic Lodge #309, 23 W Springfield 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.

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 not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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