One-two punch of winter storms, canceled blood drives straining Red Cross blood supply
Red Cross has an emergency need for blood donors to give now
SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 29, 2019) — The American Red Cross is reissuing its emergency call for blood donors to give now after multiple snow storms, frigid temperatures and the government shutdown further reduced lifesaving donations.
In January, more than 4,600 Red Cross blood and platelet donations went uncollected as blood drives were forced to cancel due to severe winter weather blanketing parts of the U.S., and additional cancellations are expected this week. Weather travel advisories may cause even more donors to delay their planned donations.
The federal government shutdown also affected donations as more than 4 percent of Red Cross blood collections come from drives sponsored by military and local, state and federal government agencies. About 30 blood drives hosted by federal offices were canceled across the country due to the shutdown, leaving more than 900 donations uncollected.
“Disruptions to blood and platelet donations jeopardize the availability of blood for patients who depend on transfusions for survival,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “We’re grateful for all those who have come out to give since we issued our emergency call earlier this month and now urge others to come out and give to prevent delays in essential medical care.”
Right now, Red Cross blood donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in, and there is less than a three-day supply of most blood types on hand. The Red Cross strives to maintain a five-day supply of blood to meet the needs of patients and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood products.
All eligible donors, especially blood donors with type O blood, are urgently needed to help restock the shelves for hospital patients. Donation appointments can be easily scheduled by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 29-Feb. 28
American Red Cross Blood Donation Center
Layton Blood Donation Center
852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
Salt Lake City Blood Donation Center
6616 South 900 East
Orem Blood Donation Center
384 East University Parkway
Other donation opportunities
Bountiful
1/31/2019: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Bountiful East Stake, 650 East 2150 South
2/13/2019: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dick's Market, 2280 Orchard Drive
2/14/2019: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Bountiful Orchard Stake, 3599 South Orchard Drive
Centerville
2/1/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Centerville Police Department, 250 North main St.
Clearfield
2/7/2019: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Clearfield Utah South Stake, 1895 South Main
2/13/2019: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Futura Industries Corp., Building H-11 Freeport Center, P.O. Box 160350
2/21/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Clearfield High School, 938 S. 1000 E.
Clinton
2/21/2019: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Clinton Utah North Stake, 2223 North 1000 West
Hill Air Force Base
2/15/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Hill Air Force Base, 5711 E Ave, Base Chapel, Building 445
Kaysville
1/31/2019: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Kaysville Utah Deseret Mill Stake, 1275 W 200 North, Flint St
Layton
1/31/2019: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Layton Holmes Creek Stake, 625 South Country Creek DR (750 E)
North Salt Lake
1/29/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., North Salt Lake Utah Stake (Eaglepoint Bldg), 900 South Eaglepoint Drive
2/12/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Decisely, 1010 North 500 East, Suite 105
North Salt Lake
2/21/2019: 2:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., North Salt Lake Parkway Stake, 55 East 350 North
Syracuse
1/31/2019: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Syracuse Utah Bluff Stake, 700 South 2500 West
Woods Cross
1/29/2019: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., North Salt Lake Utah Legacy Stake, 1847 West 2150 South
2/1/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Woods Cross Elementary, 745 West 1100 South
2/14/2019: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Woods Cross Utah North Stake Apple Chapel, 790 West 1500 South
Harrisville
1/31/2019: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Harrisville Utah Stake, 435 W. Harrisville Road
Hooper
2/27/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hooper Utah Pioneer Trail Stake, 4979 South 5100 West
2/27/2019: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Hooper Stake, 5601 South 6100 West
Marriott-Slaterville City
2/5/2019: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Venture High School, 495 North 1500 West
North Ogden
2/4/2019: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., ARW Engineers, 1594 West Park Circle
Ogden
2/2/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Holy Family Catholic Church, 1100 E 5550 S
2/4/2019: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Washington Heights Church, 1770 E. 6200 S.
2/5/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ogden City, 2549 Washington Blvd.
2/6/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Weber County Employees, 2380 Washington Blvd.
2/8/2019: 2:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., Ogden Mound Fort Stake, 373 15th Street
2/11/2019: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Student Union, 2102 University Circle
2/12/2019: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Student Union, 2102 University Circle
2/13/2019: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Student Union, 2102 University Circle
2/14/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wayfair, 550 Depot Dr
2/18/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Northern Utah Rehabilitation Hospital, 5825 Harrison Blvd.
2/19/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership, 3159 Grant Ave
2/19/2019: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Ogden Utah Stake, 1050 E 21st Street
2/20/2019: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Autoliv, Airport, 3350 Airport Road
2/20/2019: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., McKay Dee Hospital Center, 4401 South Harrison Blvd.
2/20/2019: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Ogden Weber North Stake, 4100 West 900 South
2/28/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Treeo - South Ogden, 6086 South Ridgeline Dr.
West Haven
1/30/2019: 2:45 p.m. - 8 p.m., West Haven Utah Stake, 4700 West 3300 South
2/22/2019: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Regal Country Building, 3939 West 4000 South
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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.
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.
