Critical Red Cross Blood Shortage Prompts Emergency Call For Donations
CHARLOTTE, NC — The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now and help save lives.
Blood donations have fallen short of expectations for the past two months, resulting in about 61,000 fewer donations than needed and causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply. The shortfall is the equivalent of the Red Cross not collecting any blood donations for more than four days.
“It’s crucial that people donate now to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “Every day, blood and platelet donors can help save lives, and right now these heroes are needed to give as soon as possible.”
How to Help
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, CLICK HERE or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross has added more than 25,000 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.
Summer Months Lead to Shortage
Blood shortages often worsen around Independence Day due to many fewer volunteer-hosted blood drives at places of work, worship or community gathering, and this year is no exception. Nearly 700 fewer blood drives are scheduled during the Independence Day week than the weeks before and after the holiday.
Overall, the summer months are among the most challenging times of the year for blood and platelet donations as regular donors delay giving while they vacation and participate in summer activities. In a recent survey of Red Cross blood donors, more than 73 percent indicated vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after Independence Day.
New donors and those who haven’t given in a while are especially encouraged to roll up a sleeve and help save lives. Nearly one-third fewer new blood donors came out to give last summer than during the rest of the year due in part to schools – where blood drives are held and where new donors give – being out of session during the summer months.
Who Blood Donations Help
Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant procedures, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood donations every day for patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 5-25
NORTH CAROLINA
Alexander County
Hiddenite
7/12/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Hiddenite Volunteer Fire Department, 4975 Hwy 90 East
Taylorsville
7/8/2017: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Wal-Mart 1131, 901 NC Hwy 16 South
7/16/2017: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Friendship Lutheran Church, 5300 Church Rd.
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Anson County
Wadesboro
7/11/2017: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Fireman’s Training Center, 309 N Washington St
7/18/2017: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 309 Lee Avenue
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Cabarrus County
Concord
7/11/2017: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Chip Ganassi Racing, 8500 Westmoreland Dr NW
7/13/2017: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Honda Cars of Concord, 7650 Bruton Smith Boulevard
7/17/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Cabarrus VIP at First Presbyterian Church, 39 Church Street
7/19/2017: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lowe’s of Concord-#2981, 8670 Concord Mills Blvd
7/20/2017: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Tom Johnson Camping World, 6700 Bruton Smith Blvd
7/24/2017: 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., 24/7 Total Fitness Concord, 1749 Trinity Church Road
Harrisburg
7/10/2017: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Children’s Courtyard, 3650 Ruckus Rd
7/24/2017: 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., The Oaks at Town Center, 6300 Roberta Road
Kannapolis
7/14/2017: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Kannapolis Church of Christ, 2315 Concord Lake Rd
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Caldwell County
Granite Falls
7/13/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Grace Chapel Fire Department, 4548 Grace Chapel Road
Lenoir
7/8/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Helping Hands Clinic, 810 Harper Avenue, NW
7/11/2017: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mulberry Recreation Center, 720 Mulberry St
7/12/2017: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Gateway Health & Rehab, 2030 Harper Ave NW
7/18/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Quest 4 Life, 1031 Morganton Blvd
7/19/2017: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Wal Mart, Blowing Rock Blvd
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Catawba County
Conover
7/25/2017: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Woodlawn Baptist Church, 440 7th St Pl SW
Hickory
7/10/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 2120 Startown Rd
7/10/2017: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Highland Baptist Church, 828 9th Ave NE
7/16/2017: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Firehouse Subs, 2423 N Center Street
7/21/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, 324 Second Ave SE
Maiden
7/25/2017: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Mt Anderson Baptist Church, 4818 S NC 16
Newton
7/25/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., New Hope Moravian Church, 2897 Sandy Ford Road
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Cherokee County
Andrews
7/10/2017: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Andrews United Methodist Church, 101 Chestnut Street
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Cleveland County
Shelby
7/11/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 120 N. Lafayette St
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Gaston County
Belmont
7/13/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Family Ministry Center, 124 Horsley Avenue
Bessemer City
7/10/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Baptist Church Bessemer City, 107 E. Washington
Gastonia
7/6/2017: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Ben & Jerry’s Gastonia, 3908 E Franklin Blvd
7/11/2017: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Southminster Presbyterian Ch, 1401 Hoffamn Rd
Mount Holly
7/7/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., City of Mount Holly, 400 east Central ave
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Iredell County
Harmony
7/16/2017: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., North Iredell Rescue, 1538 Tabor Rd.
Mooresville
7/5/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Charles Mack Citizens Center, 215 North Main St.
7/10/2017: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Lake Norman VFD, 1518 Brawley Rd
7/13/2017: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., George Pappas Victory Lanes, 125 Morlake Dr
7/13/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Prospect Presbyterian Church – Mooresville, 9425 West NC 152 Hwy
7/17/2017: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Fieldstone Presbyterian Church, 804 Fieldstone Rd.
7/17/2017: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Chick-fil-a Mooresville, 457 river Hwy
Statesville
7/5/2017: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., STATESVILLE FITNESS AND ACTIVITY, 1875 Simonton Rd
7/7/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Iredell Extension Center, 444 Bristol Dr
7/18/2017: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 815 Davie Ave.
7/18/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Abilene Church of Christ, 120 Bell Farm Rd
7/18/2017: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Front St. Baptist, 1403 W. Front St.
7/21/2017: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Camping World, 1220 Morland Drive
7/23/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Friendship United Methodist Church, 907 Friendship Rd
Troutman
7/20/2017: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., First United Methodist, 204 Mills Avenue
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Lincoln County
Lincolnton
7/7/2017: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wal-Mart, 401N General Blvd
7/25/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Family Video, 1407 E. Main St
Vale
7/10/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Reepsville Baptist Church, 4287 Reepsville Road
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Mecklenburg County
Charlotte
7/5/2017: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/6/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bank of America, 200 North College Street
7/6/2017: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Ben & Jerry’s Fairview, 7800 Fairview Rd.
7/6/2017: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Keller Williams Realty, 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr, suite 100
7/6/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/7/2017: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/7/2017: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Keller Williams Realty, 8520 Cliff Cameron Dr, suite 100
7/7/2017: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Lowe’s 1920, 8826 Albemarle Road
7/8/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/9/2017: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church, 4519 Providence Rd.
7/9/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/10/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/11/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/12/2017: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/12/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wells Fargo Atrium, 301S Tryon St
7/13/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/14/2017: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/14/2017: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Coats and Clark, 3430 Torringdon Way, 301
7/14/2017: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Forward Air Solution Inc, 2301 Nevada Blvd.
7/15/2017: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church, 8601 Bryant Farms Rd.
7/15/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/15/2017: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Nations Ford Community Church Family Life Center, 7410 National Ford Road
7/16/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/17/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/18/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/19/2017: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/20/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/21/2017: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/22/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/23/2017: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Road
7/23/2017: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., University City Seventh Day Adventist, 11431 University City Blvd
7/23/2017: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/24/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
7/25/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
Davidson
7/6/2017: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., CVS Pharmacy, 127 South Main Street
Huntersville
7/7/2017: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 110
7/8/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 110
7/10/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 110
7/14/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 110
7/15/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 110
7/17/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 110
7/21/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 110
7/22/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 110
7/24/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 Kincey Avenue, Suite 110
Matthews
7/13/2017: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., McGee Corporation, 12701 E Independence Blvd
7/21/2017: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Novant Health Matthews Medical Center, 1500 Matthews Township Pkwy.
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Montgomery County
Troy
7/5/2017: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Family Worship Ministries, 401 Troy -Candor Road
7/20/2017: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., 4 H Montgomery County, 842 Ophir Ave.
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Richmond County
Ellerbe
7/21/2017: 1:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Baptist Church Ellerbe, 2116 Main St
Rockingham
7/17/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Lowe’s 1038, 1300 Broad Ave
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Stanly County
Albemarle
7/5/2017: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Red Cross Albemarle, 243 West Main Street
7/14/2017: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., VFW post 2908, 119 Anderson Road
New London
7/22/2017: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Tarheel Challenge Academy, 215 N. Main Street
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Union County
Marshville
7/9/2017: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Austin Grove Baptist Church, 5919 Austin Grove Church Road
Monroe
7/5/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., O’Charleys Restaurant & Bar, 2412 W Roosevelt Blvd
7/17/2017: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3816 Morgan Mill Road
7/18/2017: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Chick-fil-A Monroe, 2115 W Roosevelt Blvd Ste 105
7/19/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Monroe Historic Armory, 500 S. Johnson St.
7/21/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Agricultural Conference Center, 3230 Presson Road
7/22/2017: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monroe Crossing Mall, Buffalo Wild Wings, 2109 W Roosevelt Blvd F
Waxhaw
7/11/2017: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Bojangles, 1325 North Broome Street
Weddington
7/12/2017: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Weddington United Methodist, 13901 Providence Road
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SOUTH CAROLINA
Chester County
Great Falls
7/13/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 407 Dearborn Street
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Lancaster County
Fort Mill
7/22/2017: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Burn Boot Camp – Fort Mill, 9030 G Northfield Drive
Lancaster
7/5/2017: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., McLean Funeral Home, 201 N Catawba Street
7/9/2017: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Glorious Resurrection of Life Church, 289 Brooklyn Ave
7/15/2017: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Masonic Lodge of Lancaster, 205 McCardell St
7/20/2017: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Springs Memorial Hospital, 800 West Meeting Street
