Red Cross facing a national blood shortage
EAU CLAIRE — The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas.
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care.
When Idalia slammed into the Southeast – leading to widespread power outages, travel hazards and flooding – the storm also forced the cancellation of over a dozen blood drives and caused hundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This compounded a shortfall of about 30,000 donations in August. Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in.
The Red Cross needs blood and platelet donors now. Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
In thanks for helping rebuild the blood supply, all who come to give Sept. 1-18 will receive a limitededition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give throughout September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/RaceToGive.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 14- Oct. 11:
Menomonie: 9/15/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., University of Wisconsin Stout Menomonie, 302 10th Ave. E
9/22/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Grace Episcopal Church, E4357 451st Ave.
9/28/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Menomonie Leisure Services Center, 1412 6th St E
10/3/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Dunn County Community Services Center, 3001 US Hwy 12 East
10/3/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Phillips Medisize Menomonie, 428 Technology Drive
10/9/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Menomonie United Methodist Church, 2703 Bongey Dr
Bloomer: 10/11/2023: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., White Pine Pavilion, 9832 County Hwy SS
New Richmond: 9/14/2023: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., New Richmond Church of Christ, 1491 Co Rd A
9/21/2023: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Faith Community, 1040 Paperjack Dr.
9/22/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Faith Community, 1040 Paperjack Dr.
9/27/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., St Croix County Services Center, 1752 Dorset Lane
Roberts:
9/18/2023: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Roberts Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 Birch Dr
10/5/2023: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cross Lutheran Church, 1246 Cty Rd TT
