Fight national blood and platelet shortage: Make a Red Cross donation appointment now | September 26, 2023
Fight national blood and platelet shortage: Make a Red Cross donation appointment now
$15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email for coming to give Oct. 1-20
Sept. 26, 2023 — The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood and platelet shortage and asks the public to book a time to give as soon as possible. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets. The Red Cross offers three ways to make a donation appointment that can help save lives:
- Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App
- Visit RedCrossBlood.org
- Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
The Red Cross experienced a significant blood and platelet donation shortfall in August, contributing to the current blood and platelet shortage. To ensure the blood supply recovers, the Red Cross must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month to meet hospital and patient needs.
“When blood and platelet supplies drop to critical levels, it makes hospitals and the patients they are treating vulnerable – especially if there is a major accident or emergency medical procedure that requires large quantities of blood during a disaster,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross. “A single car accident victim can use as much as 100 units of blood. By making and keeping donation appointments, donors can help keep hospital shelves stocked with blood products and ensure patients have access to the timely care they deserve.”
As a thank-you, those who come to give Oct. 1-20, 2023, will receive a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.
Unique challenges to blood supply
In late summer, the Red Cross national blood supply dropped by about 25% on the heels of one of the busiest travel seasons and the beginning of back-to-school activities. As people settle back into fall school and work routines, a unique challenge to the blood supply remains – many employees continue to work from home or in a hybrid capacity, reducing the number of opportunities to give blood at business-sponsored blood drives. In fact, before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 800,000 blood donations were made at blood drives hosted by businesses. Last year, the Red Cross saw only about 500,000 blood donations at these locations – a nearly 40% drop from pre-pandemic levels.
This, coupled with an active disaster season, is creating a perfect “storm” and challenging the organization’s ability to collect a sufficient amount of blood products to meet the needs of hospitals across the country.
The Red Cross provides community blood drives and donation centers across the Central & Southern Ohio Region. Those who may have previously given at a local business blood drive are encouraged to book a time to give at one of these locations by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 26-Oct. 20:
Perry
Junction City
10/14/2023: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., American Legion Hall, 110 Logan St
New Lexington
10/20/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Perry County Board of DD, 600 Senior Dr
Somerset
10/12/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Somerset American Legion, 107 East Gay St.
Thornville
10/6/2023: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sheridan High School, 8725 Sheridan Road
10/7/2023: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thornville Masonic Lodge, 44 E. Columbus Street
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Athens
Athens
9/28/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Athens Masonic Lodge, 12 W Carpenter St.
10/3/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Baker Center, 1 Park Place
10/5/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland United Methodist Church, 60 Pomeroy Rd
10/11/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Baker Center, 1 Park Place
10/18/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.
Nelsonville
10/19/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Hocking College Recreation Center, 3301 Hocking Parkway
The Plains
10/9/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Plains United Methodist Church, 3 North Plains Rd
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Coshocton
Coshocton
9/29/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Coshocton Elementary School, 1203 Cambridge Road
10/13/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Roscoe UMC, 475 High Street
10/20/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Coshocton Public Health District, 637 Chestnut St
Warsaw
10/18/2023: 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., River View High School, 26496 St. Rt. 60 North
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Guernsey
Byesville
10/4/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Meadowbrook High School, 58615 Marietta Road
10/11/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stop Nine Church, 60325 Southgate Road
Cambridge
10/17/2023: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., First Baptist Church, 136 E.8th Street
10/17/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 136 E.8th Street
10/20/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center, 1341 N. Clark Street
Kipling
9/30/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Old Stoners Post 7371-Kipling, 61771 Primrose Lane
Senecaville
10/13/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Mideast Career Center Buffalo, 57090 Vocational Road
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Licking
Granville
9/29/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Centenary United Methodist Church, 102 E. Broadway
10/12/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Hoaglin Wellness Center, 550 Chapel Dr
Heath
10/12/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Indian Mound Mall, 771 S. 30th St
Johnstown
10/16/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Ascension Worship Center, 555 S Main St
Newark
9/26/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Trek Brewing Company, 1486 Granville Rd
9/26/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
9/29/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
10/2/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ohio State Newark & COTC, 1000 LeFevre Boulevard
10/3/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
10/6/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
10/10/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
10/13/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
10/17/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 – South
10/18/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., YMCA-Licking County, 470 W. Church St.
10/20/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 – South
Pataskala
10/5/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW
10/13/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street
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Morgan
McConnelsville
9/29/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Morgan High School, 800 Raider Drive
Stockport
10/4/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stockport United Methodist Church, 3455 Market St.
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Muskingum
New Concord
9/26/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Muskingum University Gym, Stadium Dr
10/18/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., East Muskingum Middle School, 13120 John Glenn School Road
Roseville
10/20/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion Post 71, 74 S. Main Street
South Zanesville
9/28/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Maysville High School, 3725 Panther Drive
Zanesville
9/30/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Terrace Church of Christ, 1420 Brandywine Blvd
10/2/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., College Hall, 1555 Newark Rd
10/2/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
10/9/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
10/12/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
10/16/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
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Noble
Sarahsville
10/2/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Shenandoah High School, 49346 SR 147
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Perry
Junction City
10/14/2023: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., American Legion Hall, 110 Logan St
New Lexington
10/20/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Perry County Board of DD, 600 Senior Dr
Somerset
10/12/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Somerset American Legion, 107 East Gay St.
Thornville
10/6/2023: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sheridan High School, 8725 Sheridan Road
10/7/2023: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thornville Masonic Lodge, 44 E. Columbus Street
How to donate blood
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification 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 have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
