Donors urgently needed: Red Cross still facing severe blood shortage

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — 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 and those giving platelets – 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, local blood donation opportunities through July 15:

1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. July 1, M Kay Supply LLC, 6626 State Highway 77, in Benton

2 p.m. - 6 p.m. July 6, First Baptist Church, 301 South Main, in Charleston

2 p.m. - 6 p.m. July 6, The Front Porch, 1408 Main St., in Scott City

Noon - 5 p.m. July 8, YMCA, 511 Taylor, in Sikeston

2 p.m. - 6 p.m. July 8, The Assembly Church, 20034 State Highway E, in Bloomfield

1 p.m. - 6 p.m. July 12, Chaffee High School, 517 West Yoakum, in Chaffee

1 p.m. - 5 p.m. July 14, Bell City Community Center, 27874 Spears St., in Bell City