American-Red-Cross-Blood-Drive 2016This January, National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors of all blood types to make an appointment to give now and help address a winter blood donation shortage.

Severe winter weather has had a tremendous impact on blood donations already this year, with more than 150 blood drives forced to cancel causing over 5,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This is in addition to seasonal illnesses, such as the flu, and hectic holiday schedules collectively contributing to more than 28,000 fewer donations than what was needed in November and December.In Indiana, the Red Cross has seen a shortfall of more than 1,400 blood donations.

While serving local hospitals is the first priority, the Red Cross can move blood products to where they’re needed most. This allows generous donors throughout the country to contribute to the national blood supply and potentially help patients locally and in storm-affected areas.

While all blood types are urgently needed, there is a more critical need for:

  • Type O negative: The blood type that can be transfused to almost everyone and is what doctors reach for in trauma situations.
  • Type B negative: The blood type that can be transfused to type B Rh-positive and negative patients.
  • Type AB: The plasma type that can be transfused to almost everyone and can be donated through a platelet or plasma donation, where available, or during a regular blood donation.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities this January in Marshall County are:

Jan. 10th from 11:30 till 5:30 at St. Ididore Hall in Bremen

Jan. 11th from 9 till 2 at the Culver High School

Jan. 13th from 9 till 1 at Lowes at 1100 Pilgrim Lane in Plymouth

Jan. 15th from 10 till 4 at Ancilla College in Donaldson

Jan. 19th from 1 till 6 at Argos Elementary

Jan. 22nd from 1 till 7 at Jefferson Elementary School in Plymouth

Jan. 25th from 11:30 till 5:30 at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 901 East Jefferson Street in Plymouth.

 

How to help

Eligible donors can find a blood donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, by visiting redcrossblood.org/rapidpass from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.