Red Cross urges donors to fill Missing Types to prevent summer blood shortage

The _meric_n Red Cr_ss needs help to bring back the As, Bs and Os. This is not a typo. These letters represent blood types, and the reality is that during blood shortages these letters do go missing from hospital shelves. The American Red Cross urges donors of all blood types to give now to help prevent delays in patient care this summer.

Earlier this month, As, Bs and Os began disappearing from brand logos, social media pages, signs and websites as part of the Missing Types campaign to draw attention to the need for new blood donors. More than 1,000 partners across the country, from small businesses to leading national brands, have signed on to join the #MissingType movement and raise awareness about the critical role of every blood donor.

While thousands of donors have answered the call to donate blood, more donors are needed now to help ensure blood types don’t go missing. During the summer, especially around holidays like Independence Day, donations often don’t keep pace with patient needs. The Red Cross is thanking all those who come to donate July 2-7 with an exclusive Red Cross Missing Types T-shirt, while supplies last.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities through July 15 in Montgomery County:

American Red Cross Blood Donation Center

Willow Grove Donor Center

31 Easton Road Willow Grove, PA 19090 Monday - Wednesday: 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (platelet pheresis)

Thursday - Sunday: 7:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. (platelet pheresis)

Abington

7/1/2018: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Road

7/6/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2086 Parkview Ave.

7/9/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Abington Public Safety Training Facility, 2200 Florey Lane

7/9/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church, 1501 Ferndale Ave.

7/13/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Our Lady Help of Christians, 1500 Marian Road

Ambler

6/28/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave.

7/7/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Calvary United Methodist Church, 16 E. Park Ave.

Ardmore

6/29/2018: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Ardmore Presbyterian Church, 5 W. Montgomery Ave.

Cheltenham

7/5/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Cheltenham Fire Company, 413 Ryers Ave.

Collegeville

6/26/2018: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Trinity United Church of Christ, 532 E. Main St.

7/11/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Courtyard Marriott, 600 Campus Drive

Conshohocken

7/13/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 508 Harry St.

Eagleville

7/7/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lower Providence Fire Company, 3199 W. Ridge Pike

Elkins Park

6/28/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Salus University, Hafter Student Community Center, 8360 Old York Road

7/11/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Eagle Rock Apartments, 1235 Ashbourne Road

Fort Washington

6/28/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Trumark Financial Credit Union, 335 Commerce Drive

7/3/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 530 W. Pennsylvania Ave.

Gladwyne

7/9/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Beth David Reform Congregation, 1130 Vaughn Lane

Glenside

6/26/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., North Penn VFW Post No. 676, 2519 Jenkintown Road

Harleysville

7/12/2018: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Indian Valley YMCA, 890 Maple Ave.

Haverford

7/14/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Memorial Church of God in Christ, 747 Buck Lane

Horsham

7/15/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Days Inn, 245 Easton Road

Jenkintown

6/26/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Galman Group, 261 Old York Road

6/29/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rydal Park Retirement Community, 1515 The Fairway

King of Prussia

7/2/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 First Ave.

7/2/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Doubletree Hotel, 301 W. Dekalb Pike

7/11/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., AT&T, 200 N. Warner Road

7/12/2018: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Neiman Marcus, 170 N. Gulph Road

Kulpsville

6/28/2018: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., The Peter Powerhouse Foundation at Towamencin Mennonite Church, 1980 Sumneytown Pike

7/3/2018: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Wawa Operations Office, 1555 Bustard Road

Lafayette Hill

7/11/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Whitemarsh Township Building, 616 Germantown Pike

Lansdale

6/30/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Grace Mennonite Church, 630 York Ave.

7/9/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Christ United Methodist Church, 1020 S. Valley Forge Road

7/11/2018: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., The Reserve at Gwynedd, 301 Primrose Drive

7/12/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Covenant Community Fellowship Church, 1080 Sumneytown Pike

Limerick

7/13/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St. James Lutheran Church, 93 Kugler Road

Narberth

7/5/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., St. Margaret School, 227 N. Narberth Ave.

Norristown

7/7/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Masonic Lodge No. 620, 2589 W. Township Line Road

Oaks

7/11/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Dunkin’ Donuts, 108 Black Rock Road

Penn Valley

7/10/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Beth Am Israel Synagogue, 1301 Hagys Ford Road

Plymouth Meeting

6/29/2018: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Epiphany of Our Lord, 3050 Walton Road

Pottstown

7/2/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Comfort Inn, 99 Robinson St.

Royersford

7/2/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Dunkin’ Donuts, 800 Main St.

7/2/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., VFW Post No. 6341, 730 S. Fourth Ave.

Schwenksville

7/3/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Saint Teresa of Calcutta School, 256 Swamp Pike

Souderton

7/15/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 2021 E. Township Line Road

Spring Mount

6/30/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lower Frederick Fire Company, 137 Spring Mount Road

Telford

6/27/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Franconia Heritage Restaurant, 508 Harleysville Pike

6/28/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 107 W. Lincoln Ave.

6/29/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Indian Valley Public Library, 100 E. Church Ave.

West Conshohocken

7/12/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive

Willow Grove

7/10/2018: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Calvary Presbyterian Church, 405 N. Easton Road

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How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification 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 have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

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Volunteers needed

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, contact contact Nancy Tobin at 215451-4229 or nancy.tobin@ redcross.org or visit rdcrss. org/driver.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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.