Flu season may impact Red Cross blood supply

Healthy donors needed to give now

Nov. 7, 2022 — The American Red Cross urges blood and platelet donors to give now and help fight the potential impact of seasonal illnesses and a potentially severe flu season on the blood supply.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts a serious spread of flu this year and is already reporting an early spike in cases in several states. When seasonal illnesses increase, the number of healthy donors tends to decrease, leaving the Red Cross blood supply vulnerable to a potential shortage over the holidays.

Paired with busy holiday schedules, seasonal illnesses may make it harder to collect the blood hospital patients require this winter. Donors − especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets − can help bolster the blood supply now by making an appointment to give in the coming weeks.

There is no waiting period to donate blood or platelets after receiving a flu shot. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Learn more about flu safety and prevention at redcross.org/flusafety.

As a thank-you, the Red Cross is offering several opportunities to donors this month:

• All who come to give Nov. 1-22 will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Details are available at rcblood.org/perks.
• Those who come to give over the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 23-27, will get a Red Cross knit beanie, while supplies last.
• All who come out to help Nov. 28-Dec. 15 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon. Details are available at rcblood.org/together.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 16-30:

Perry

Corning

11/22/2022: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Miller High School, 10397 St. Rt. 155 S.E.

Crooksville

11/16/2022: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Crooksville High School, 4075 Ceramic Drive

New Lexington

11/17/2022: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Lexington High School, 2547 Panther Drive

New Straitsville

11/18/2022: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hope Acts Building, 109 W. Main St.

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Athens

Athens

11/22/2022: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Baker Center, 1 Park Place

11/23/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Richland United Methodist Church - Braylyn Strong, 60 Pomeroy Rd.

11/30/2022: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Baker Center, 1 Park Place

Nelsonville

11/16/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Rocky Outlet Store, 45 E. Canal Street

Stewart

11/16/2022: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Federal Hocking High School, 8461 St Rt 144

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Coshocton

Coshocton

11/22/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

11/23/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

11/30/2022: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Coshocton High School, 1205 Cambridge Road

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Guernsey

Cambridge

11/19/2022: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cambridge Area YMCA Family Center, 1301 Clairmont Ave

11/23/2022: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cambridge Area YMCA Family Center, 1301 Clairmont Ave

11/28/2022: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Center United Methodist Church, 11146 Cadiz Road

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Licking

Granville

11/25/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Centenary United Methodist Church, 102 E. Broadway

Johnstown

11/28/2022: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Ascension Worship Center, 555 South Main St

Newark

11/18/2022: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

11/21/2022: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., YMCA, 470 West Church Street

11/22/2022: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

11/25/2022: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

11/26/2022: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Highwater Church, 1213 Dutch Lane Road

11/28/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., TrueCore, 215 Deo Drive

11/29/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Trek Brewing Company, 1486 Granville Rd

11/29/2022: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

11/30/2022: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Memorial Hospital, 1320 West Main Street

Pataskala

11/23/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street

11/25/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW

Utica

11/17/2022: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Utica Church of Christ, 115 North Central Avenue

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Muskingum

Frazeysburg

11/18/2022: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Meadow View Church of Christ, 6750 Raiders Road

Nashport

11/17/2022: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - Local 1105, 5805 Frazeysburg Road

New Concord

11/28/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Muskingum University Gym, Comin Street

Zanesville

11/19/2022: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., South Zanesville UMC, 53 E Main St

11/21/2022: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., West Muskingum High School, 200 Kimes Rd

11/21/2022: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

11/23/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

11/29/2022: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., James Singer Activity Center, 407 Pershing

11/30/2022: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., North Terrace Church of Christ, 1420 Brandywine Blvd

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Noble

Caldwell

11/23/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Community Center,  44187 Fairgrounds Rd

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Perry

Corning

11/22/2022: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Miller High School, 10397 St. Rt. 155 S.E.

Crooksville

11/16/2022: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Crooksville High School, 4075 Ceramic Drive

New Lexington

11/17/2022: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Lexington High School, 2547 Panther Drive

New Straitsville

11/18/2022: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hope Acts Building, 109 W. Main St.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Amplify Your Impact − Volunteer!

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for a either position visit https://www.redcross.org/volunteertoday.

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.

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