The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Blood donors are needed now to help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.
As a thank-you, all those who come to give July 1-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat, while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value).*
The below news release highlights the ongoing impact to hospitals and patients. To help share this critical story with your audience, pre-produced television and radio PSAs are now available for download, in addition to blood donation b-roll, social media graphics, live-read PSA scripts and photos.
If you would like to set up an interview or need additional information, please let me know. Thank you for your support and consideration.
Sincerely,
Brittney Rochell | Regional Chief Communications Officer
American Red Cross of Kansas and Oklahoma
(405) 245-9574 (c) | brittney.rochell@redcross.org
*Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel).
News Release
Media contact: Brittney Rochell | 405-245-9574 | Brittney.rochell@redcross.org | RedCrossBlood.org
Donors urgently needed: Red Cross still facing severe blood shortage
Hospital blood demand remains high as nation heads into holiday week
Wichita, Kansas (June 28, 2021) — The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Donors of all blood types – especially type O – are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.
Right now, the Red Cross is working around the clock to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care.
In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations and resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout. The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday break − patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions.
Donors are needed now to prevent further delays to patient care. Schedule an appointment to give blood now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
As a thank-you, all those who come to give July 1-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat, while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). (Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel).
In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 28-July 15
Barton
Ellinwood
7/6/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ellinwood District Hospital, 605 N. Main
Great Bend
6/28/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., American Legion, 1011 Kansas Avenue
7/6/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4124 Broadway
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Beaver, OK
Beaver
7/14/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Beaver United Methodist Church, 201 Ave. F
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Clark
Ashland
7/6/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Joseph Catholic Church, 512 Cedar St.
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Edwards
Kinsley
7/9/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., VFW, 7349 US-56 HIGHWAY
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Finney
Garden City
6/28/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Garden City First Baptist Church, 1005 N 11th St
7/2/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Garden City, 619 E Mary
7/9/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., YMCA, 1224 Center Street
7/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Community Congregational Church, 710 N. 3rd
7/15/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Community Congregational Church, 710 N. 3rd
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Gray
Copeland
6/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., American Legion Post 369, 202 Santa Fe
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Hamilton
Syracuse
7/15/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Hamilton County Fair Building, 806 S Main
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Harper
Harper
7/12/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 154 E. Highway 160
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Hodgeman
Hanston
6/30/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Elk Plaza, 203 N West Street
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Kingman
Kingman
7/1/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Kingman Community Hospital, 750 W. Ave. D
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Lane
Dighton
7/1/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lane County Fair Grounds, 147 West Long Street
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Seward
Kismet
7/8/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Kismet Community Building, 505 Main St.
Liberal
6/29/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., New Beginnings Church, 2021 N Western Ave.
7/7/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Seward County Community College, 1801 N Kansas Ave
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Stafford
St John
7/1/2021: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., IOOF Gym, 700 E. 1st
Woodward, OK
Woodward
7/13/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Moose Lodge 452, 3702 1st Street
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About blood donation
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Health insights for donors
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Blood drive safety
The Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Fully vaccinated individuals, including staff and donors, no longer need to wear masks or socially distance. Unvaccinated individuals continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face masks for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face mask while at the drive, in alignment with state/local guidance.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.