National blood crisis NOW: Immediate need for blood donations

Red Cross issues rare crisis call for donors as summer blood shortage intensifies

√ Patient care threatened as critical blood type levels continue to fall

Submitted by the American Red Cross

For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis – and patients may already be feeling the impact. Donors are asked to act immediately to help save lives.

Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this season’s emergency blood shortage. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distributions of these blood products to hospitals. The supply of type O positive blood has now dropped below a one-day supply.

Help end this crisis and stabilize the blood supply. Book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all who come to give by July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). See RedCrossBlood.org/July. 

Additionally, those who come to give Aug. 1-31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/August.

Patients can’t wait

Despite thousands of people who have stepped up to help end the emergency blood shortage since it was declared earlier this month, donations are still not keeping pace with hospital demand, and the situation has escalated. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses continue to contribute to lower donor turnout this summer.

“This summer has brought a number of unique challenges that have placed additional strain on our blood supply, creating growing concerns for hospitals and the patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services for the Red Cross. “If just three more donors gave at each blood drive this summer, we could help the blood supply rebound and ensure hospitals have the blood products they need throughout the remainder of the season.”

Upcoming local blood donation opportunities include: 

Erie County

•Buffalo

July 29: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 565 Abbott Road

July 29: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

July 30: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Rich Products Corp., 1 Robert Rich Way

Aug. 1: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Amherst Center for Senior Services, 370 John James Audubon Parkway

Aug. 5: noon to 5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Department Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.

Aug. 7: noon to 5 p.m., St. Joseph University Parish, 3269 Main St.

Aug. 8: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Gregory the Great, 200 St. Gregory Court

Aug. 11: noon to 5 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave.

•Tonawanda

Aug. 1: 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.

Niagara County

•Lewiston

Aug. 12: 1-6 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co. No.1, 145 N. Sixth St.

•Lockport

July 27: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., South Lockport Fire Co., 5666 S. Transit Road

Aug. 11: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

•North Tonawanda

Aug. 5: noon to 5 p.m., Gratwick Fire Hose Co. No. 6, 110 Ward Road

•Youngstown

July 28: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Youngstown Firehall, 625 Third St.

More 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, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow on social media.