Patients counting on blood and platelet donors as shortage continues

NASHVILLE, Tenn.. (Oct. 26, 2021) – With Thanksgiving and the holidays approaching, the American Red Cross urges donors to continue to make and keep appointments now and in the weeks ahead to help overcome the ongoing emergency blood and platelet shortage that has significantly impacted the nation’s blood supply. In fact, the current blood supply is the lowest the Red Cross has seen this time of year in more than a decade.

Since declaring an emergency need for donors last month, thousands of people have come to Red Cross blood drives across the country to roll up a sleeve and help patients who are counting on lifesaving transfusions. The Red Cross is incredibly grateful for the kindness and generosity of these blood and platelet donors, but hospital demand remains strong. At least 10,000 more donations are needed each week in the coming weeks to meet patient needs – ahead of the upcoming holiday season, which always presents seasonal challenges to blood collection.

Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In honor of the new series, I Know What You Did Last Summer, those who come to give Nov. 1-12, 2021, will automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Hawaii, courtesy of Amazon Prime Video.* The trip will transport you to where the series was filmed and includes round-trip airfare for two, hotel accommodations for nine nights, meals, $1,000 gift card for expenses and on-trip transportation with tour stops from Honolulu to Maui. Plus, those who come to donate Nov. 1-23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card* by email, thanks to Amazon.**

Blood drive safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 1-23

KENTUCKY

Allen

Scottsville

11/3/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Scottsville Church of Christ, 1379 Smiths Grove Road

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Christian

Fort Campbell

11/18/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Blanchfield Army Hospital, 650 Joel Drive

11/23/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fort Campbell Commissary, 2606 Indiana Avenue

Hopkinsville

11/15/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murray State University Hopkinsville Campus, 5305 Fort Campbell Blvd

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Hickman

Clinton

11/22/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 210 South Washington Street

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Marshall

Benton

11/8/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Benton Elementary School, 208 West 11th Street

11/15/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Christian Church, 2515 South Main Street

Calvert City

11/8/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Calvert City Civic Center, 991 E. 5th Ave.

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Trigg

Cadiz

11/22/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Trigg County Hospital, 254 Main Street

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Warren

Bowling Green

11/5/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

11/10/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

11/12/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

11/17/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

11/17/2021: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Downey Student Center, 1906 College Heights Blvd., P.O. Box 51233

11/19/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace.