January winter storms lead to cancellation of hundreds of blood drives
Winter storms forced the cancelation of more than 530 American Red Cross blood drives in January, leading to as many as 15,000 blood and platelet donations going uncollected in the first month of the year. In the month of January, the Red Cross canceled nearly as many blood drives due to severe weather than it did for the entire calendar year of 2023.
Since the beginning of the year, blood drives have been canceled in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood and blood products are currently going out to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in.
The weather issues came at a time when the Red Cross was already seeing an emergency blood shortage across the country, a situation that still exists. Normal winter challenges such as seasonal illnesses namely the flu and COVID-19 and the possibility of additional winter storms could add to an already critical situation.
How to donate blood
The Red Cross must collect an additional 8,000 blood donations each week over the next few weeks to recover from the current blood shortage. We thank everyone who came out to give blood during National Blood Donor Month in January and ask that eligible donors make an appointment to give blood or platelets now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
If there is not an immediate opportunity available to donate, donors are asked to make an appointment in the days and weeks ahead to help ensure the Red Cross can replenish and maintain a sufficient blood supply. All those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma from February 1-29, 2024, will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Details are available at RedCrossBlood. org/Heart.
While all blood types are needed, platelet donors and type O blood donors are urgently needed.
Type O positive is the most transfused blood type. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type in the most serious, lifethreatening situations. Platelets are the clotting portion of blood, needed by many trauma patients as well as cancer patients, and must be transfused within five days of donation.
A sufficient blood supply is critical to being able to provide timely care for all patients in need of lifesaving blood transfusions. It’s the blood on the shelves that helps in times of emergency. Please make an appointment to donate now and help end the emergency blood shortage.
The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets now to continue to strengthen the national blood supply this month. The public can book a time to give by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS. People of all blood types – especially type O blood donors, the most needed blood group by hospitals – and platelet donors are needed daily to ensure blood products are available for hospitals at a moment’s notice.
As February continues, so does the potential for additional weather systems to disrupt blood drives and the ability to provide critical blood products to hospitals. While thousands of donors have answered the call to donate in recent weeks to combat a significant drop in the blood supply, more donors are needed now to ensure the blood supply remains ready for those in need of lifesaving medical procedures.
Don’t wait make an appointment to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800RED CROSS. In thanks for helping, all who come to give in February will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Heart.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 12-29:
Hickory
2/15/2024: 2:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Corinth Reformed Bost Hall, 150 16th Avenue NW
2/23/2024: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Valley Hills Mall, 1960 Highway 70 SE
2/29/2024: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St. Stephens High
School, 3205 34th Street Dr NE
2/22/2024: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bayada Home Healthcare, 1985 Tate Blvd SE, Suite 417
Newton
2/23/2024: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Balls Creek Elementary, 2620 Balls Creek Rd
2/26/2024: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 300 North Main Ave
Terrell
2/21/2024: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Rehobeth United Methodist Church, 9297 Sherrills Ford Rd
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, please visit redcross. org or CruzRojaAmericana. org, or follow us on social media.