Blood donors needed for drive Wednesday at local hospital
Forrest City Medical Center will be the site of an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, starting at 11 a.m.
"With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many Americans are beginning to mark the start of a busy holiday season. This year, the American Red Cross is heading into the holidays with its lowest blood supply in more than a decade at this time of year and asks those who are eligible to give blood to help ensure patients can enjoy all this season has to offer," says John Brimley, regional director of communications for the American Red Cross for Arkansas.
"We know it is the holiday weekend but we would really appreciate our donors to make appointments," said Caitlyn Sweet, FCMC public relations director. "We have a great donor community and look forward to seeing all our regular donors and new donors who want to help with the shortage."
Brimley said the holiday season can be a stressful one for many reasons including weather, travel hazards and more.
"When disasters strike in communities and patients are in urgent need of lifesaving blood transfusions, the American Red Cross is able to respond thanks to generous volunteers and donors," said Brimley. "Especially this year, as the nation faced additional challenges due to the ongoing pandemic, devastating storms and emergency blood shortage."
Brimley said many factors contributed to the blood shortage including low drive turnouts in recent months, ongoing effects of Covid-19 and the summer spike in Delta variant cases causing fewer blood drives at schools and colleges.
"It contributed to a 34% drop in new blood donors from last
(Continued from Page 1) year," said Brimley. "One of the largest year-to-year decreases and one that could threaten essential medical care for patients."
Brimley said Arkansas and the Missouri Red Cross Region experienced a 13.4% decrease in new blood donors this year.
"As always there is a great need for donations," agreed Sweet. "Just in the past year, there has been an ongoing shortage that is still a concern, and this community always does what it can to meet that growing need.
"Setting up an appointment online, through the donor app or by phone is recommended to reduce the spread of Covid," said Sweet.
"Don't wait," said Brimely of donors. "Humanity needs you to help patients enjoy all the holiday season has to offer. Make an appointment to give blood."
Brimley says those who donate blood between Nov. 24 and Nov. 28 will receive an exclusive pair of Red Cross holiday socks, while supplies last.
Sweet said protocol for donors will be the same as recent drives. "You will be screened at the E.R. entrance then follow signs to the InService Classroom. We are still requiring masks to enter the hospital."
To set up an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device
Brimley says 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.
To save time Sweet recommends using RapidPass® to complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of the donation, before arriving at the blood drive.