Flu season may further impact Red Cross blood supply

Emergency blood shortage continues

(Nov. 9, 2021) – As the holidays approach and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns about a potential spike in flu cases this year, it’s important that those who are eligible, healthy and feeling well make an appointment to donate blood or platelets. The American Red Cross continues to address an ongoing emergency blood shortage, and donors are urged to give now to combat the lowest blood supply levels at this time of year in more than a decade.

According to the CDC, flu cases reached an all-time low last year due to masking, physical distancing and shutdowns across the country, and many Americans may have reduced immunity this year. When seasonal illness increases, the number of healthy blood donors tends to decrease. Paired with winter weather, busy holiday schedules and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the already-struggling blood supply could be further impacted throughout winter.

There is no blood donation waiting period for those who have received a flu shot or a Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or booster, so long as they are symptom-free. Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

To encourage donors to help meet the needs of hospital patients this month, all who come to donate Nov. 1-23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon.* Those who come to give around the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 24-28, will receive a pair of Red Cross socks, while supplies last.

Blood drive safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – 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.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 16-30

Perry County

Corning

11/23/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Miller High School, 10397 St. Rt. 155 S.E.

Crooksville

11/17/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Crooksville High School, 4075 Ceramic Drive

New Lexington

11/18/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Lexington High School, 2547 Panther Drive

_______________

Athens County

Athens

11/23/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

11/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.

Stewart

11/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Federal Hocking High School, 8461 St Rt 144

_______________

Coshocton County

Coshocton

11/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

_______________

Guernsey County

Cambridge

11/20/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cambridge Area YMCA Family Center, 1301 Clairmont Ave

11/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cambridge Area YMCA Family Center, 1301 Clairmont Ave

_______________

Licking County

Etna

11/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Daybreak Church, 1226 Pike Street

Newark

11/16/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

11/19/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

11/23/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

11/24/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Memorial Hospital, 1320 West Main Street

11/26/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

11/30/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Trek Brewing Company, 1486 Granville Rd

11/30/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

Pataskala

11/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street

Utica

11/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Utica Church of Christ, 115 North Central Avenue

_______________

Morgan County

Malta

11/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Malta United Methodist Church Youth Building, 115 Fourth Street

_______________

Muskingum County

Frazeysburg

11/19/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Meadow View Church of Christ, 6750 Raiders Road

Nashport

11/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 1105, 5805 Frazeysburg Road

New Concord

11/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Muskingum University Gym, Comin Street

Zanesville

11/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., South Zanesville UMC, 53 E Main St

11/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

11/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., West Muskingum High School, 200 Kimes Rd

_______________

Perry County

Corning

11/23/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Miller High School, 10397 St. Rt. 155 S.E.

Crooksville

11/17/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Crooksville High School, 4075 Ceramic Drive

New Lexington

11/18/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Lexington High School, 2547 Panther Drive

Save time during donation

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.

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.

Health insights for donors

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is 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 who require trait-negative blood. 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.

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 cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

###

*Restrictions apply, see amazon.com/gc-legal.