Red Cross: Emergency blood shortage may delay medical procedures | January 8, 2024
Red Cross: Emergency blood shortage may delay medical procedures
Donors urged to give now as nation faces lowest number of blood donors in decades
Donors have the chance to help save lives, win trip to Super Bowl LVIII
Jan. 8, 2024 — The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.
Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.
“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.”
Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.
Who donations help
Robin Sharps knows firsthand how important a readily available blood supply is. During an emergency medical episode Robin needed 114 units of blood to help her survive during multiple operations in quick succession. Read more about Robin’s story HERE.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 8-31:
Perry
Corning
1/25/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Miller High School, 10397 OH-155
Crooksville
1/24/2024: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Crooksville High School, 4075 Ceramic Drive
Junction City
1/10/2024: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Junction City Elementary, 309 Poplar St.
New Lexington
1/31/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Perry County Opportunity Center, 5250 OH-37
Somerset
1/31/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Genesis Perry County Medical Center, 301 Dr Mike Clouse Dr
Thornville
1/27/2024: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thornville Masonic Lodge, 44 E. Columbus Street
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Athens
Albany
1/17/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., VFW Post 9893, 3025 Dickson Rd.
Athens
1/9/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Baker Center, 1 Park Place
1/11/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.
1/12/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Athens County Children Services, 18 Stonybrook Drive
1/20/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Athens Recreation Center, 701 E. State Street
1/22/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Baker Center, 1 Park Place
1/31/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.
Nelsonville
1/15/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stuart's Opera House, 52 Public Square
1/19/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Nelsonville York High School, 1 Buckeye Dr.
1/24/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Hocking College Recreation Center, 3301 Hocking Parkway
Stewart
1/25/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Federal Hocking High School, 8461 St Rt 144
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Coshocton
Coshocton
1/17/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street
1/17/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street
1/26/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Coshocton High School, 1205 Cambridge Road
1/31/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Cleveland Cliffs-Coshocton Works, 17400 State Route 16
Warsaw
1/9/2024: 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., River View High School, 26496 St. Rt. 60 North
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Guernsey
Byesville
1/10/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Meadowbrook High School, 58615 Marietta Road
1/22/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stop Nine, 60330 Southgate Road
Cambridge
1/12/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Guernsey County Crossroads Branch Library, 63500 Byesville Road
1/20/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., First Baptist Church, 136 E.8th Street
Senecaville
1/11/2024: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Mideast Career Center Buffalo, 57090 Vocational Road
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Licking
Granville
1/18/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Hoaglin Wellness Center, 550 Chapel Dr
1/30/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Centenary United Methodist Church, 102 E. Broadway
Heath
1/15/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Boeing Guidance Repair Center, 801 Irving-Wick Drive West
Johnstown
1/15/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Ascension Worship Center, 555 S Main St
Newark
1/9/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
1/10/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ohio State Newark & COTC, 1000 LeFevre Boulevard
1/11/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Faith and Family Center, 45 Granville Street
1/12/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
1/16/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
1/19/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
1/23/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
1/26/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 – South
1/30/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Trek Brewing Company, 1486 Granville Rd
1/30/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 W Main St, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
Pataskala
1/11/2024: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW
1/12/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street
1/17/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW
1/26/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., West Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street
1/31/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW
Utica
1/18/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Utica Church of Christ, 115 N Central Ave
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Muskingum
Adamsville
1/22/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Adamsville Community Center, 8200 Madison Road
Duncan Falls
1/26/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Cornerstone Full Gospel Church, 4509 Salt Creek Drive
Frazeysburg
1/19/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Meadow View Church of Christ, 6750 Raiders Road
New Concord
1/25/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., John Glenn HS, 13115 John Glenn School Road
Roseville
1/26/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion Post 71, 74 S. Main Street
Zanesville
1/8/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
1/12/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., West Muskingum Elementary, 200 Kimes Rd
1/16/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
1/20/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Unity Church of the Nazarene, 3095 Maysville Pike
1/22/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
1/30/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
_______________
Noble
Caldwell
1/17/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Community Center, 44187 Fairgrounds Rd
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Perry
Corning
1/25/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Miller High School, 10397 OH-155
Crooksville
1/24/2024: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Crooksville High School, 4075 Ceramic Drive
Junction City
1/10/2024: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Junction City Elementary, 309 Poplar St.
New Lexington
1/31/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Perry County Opportunity Center, 5250 OH-37
Somerset
1/31/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Genesis Perry County Medical Center, 301 Dr Mike Clouse Dr
Thornville
1/27/2024: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thornville Masonic Lodge, 44 E. Columbus Street
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 follow us on social media.
