Red Cross in urgent need of blood

The American Red Cross is issuing a call for all eligible blood donors to donate and help save lives.

An emergency blood shortage is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now and help save lives.

The Red Cross escalated its call for blood and platelet donors after a difficult Independence Day week for donations. More than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups than during a typical week as individuals across the country celebrated the holiday and enjoyed summer activities. This could equate to as many as 15,000 fewer donations than needed, causing donations to now be distributed to hospitals faster than they come in.

“Each and every day, individuals across the country depend on blood and platelet donations for lifesaving treatments and emergency care, so it’s critical that people donate now to meet these needs,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “Whether you’ve never donated or give a couple of times a year, you’re needed to give as soon as possible to help save patient lives. Yours may be the donation a patient is counting on.”

This need is especially critical for type O blood donors. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first to be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of pa-

tients in the most serious situations. Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

How to help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-7332767). The Red Cross has added about 6,500 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. Donation appointments and completion of a Rapid Pass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 9-31 Brookfield: July 16from 1-6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 2416Beaver Creek Road Canastota: July 18from 1-6 p.m., Canastota Veterans of Foreign Wars, 3835Canal Road Cazenovia: July 19from 10 a.m. to 3p.m., Cazenovia Public Library, 100Albany Street Cazenovia: July 24from 11 a.m. to 3p.m., Pelco Component Technologies, 2747 US Route 20East Chittenango: July 12from 12:30-6:30p.m., Chit- tenango Library, 101Falls Boulevard Chittenango: July 18from 10a.m. to 4p.m., Chittenango Parks and Rec Building, 707Legion Drive DeRuyter: July 13from 1:30-6:30p.m., American Legion, Seminary Street Hamilton: July 27from 12:30-5:30p.m., Hamilton Public Library, 13Broad Street Madison: July 26from 1-6 p.m., Madison Fire Department, 7362State Route 20 Morrisville: July 27from 1-6p.m., Morrisville Community Church, 3824 Swamp Road Oneida: July 14from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30p.m., Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, 551Sayles Street Oneida: July 23from 7 a.m. to noon, The Gorman Foundation, 1081Northside Shopping Center