Red Cross blood shortage continues as thousands answer the call to give
Emergency need remains; critical call for type O blood donors to donate now
SALT LAKE CITY (July 25, 2018) — Thousands of people have responded to the emergency call for blood and platelet donations issued by the American Red Cross in early July. Still, there continues to be an emergency need for donors of all blood types, especially type O, to give now to address a severe blood shortage.
Red Cross blood donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in, and right now there is less than a five-day blood supply on hand. The Red Cross strives to keep 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.
“Patients don’t get a summer break from the need for lifesaving treatments, so it is critical that hospitals have access to blood products each and every day,” said Nick Gehrig, communications executive, Red Cross Blood Services. “We sincerely appreciate those who have responded to the call to help save lives, but the emergency need remains. Those who haven’t rolled up a sleeve to give are urged to do so today.”
There is a particular need for type O blood, which plays an important role in ongoing patient care and emergencies. Type O positive is the most transfused blood type and can be given to patients with any Rh-positive blood type. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be given to any patient. It’s what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations.
In thanks, all those who come to donate blood or platelets July 30 through Aug. 30, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
Donors of all blood types are urged to make an appointment to give now using the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Bountiful
7/25/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., South Davis Recreation Center, 550 North 200 West
Centerville
7/26/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Centerville North Stake, 1298 North 400 West
8/9/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Walmart, 221 West Parrish Lane
Clearfield
8/1/2018: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., ATK, Freeport Center Bldg. C-14
8/2/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Clearfield Utah South Stake, 1895 South Main
Farmington
8/2/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Farmington North Stake, 1885 North Summerwood Dr
8/10/2018: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Farmington Stake, 352 South 200 West
Layton
7/25/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
7/26/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
7/27/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
7/28/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
7/30/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
7/31/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/1/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/2/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/2/2018: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Layton Utah Creekside Stake, 900 South Flint
8/3/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/3/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Utah West Stake, 1750 W 1600 N
8/3/2018: 2:15 p.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/4/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/6/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/7/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/7/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Layton Utah Legacy Stake, 3161 West 150 North
8/8/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/9/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/10/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/11/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/13/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/14/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
8/15/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Layton Blood Donation Center, 852 W. Hill Field Road, Suite F
North Salt Lake
7/27/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., North Salt Lake Utah Legacy Stake, 954 West 1100 North
Syracuse
7/26/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Syracuse West Stake, 1600 South 4500 West
8/9/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Syracuse South Stake, 3065 South Bluff Road
West Point
8/9/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., West Point Lakeside Stake, 855 North 4000 West
Woods Cross
7/25/2018: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Woods Cross Stake, 2064 South 800 West
7/26/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Woods Cross Utah North Stake Apple Chapel, 790 West 1500 South
Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 25-Aug. 15:
Eden
8/2/2018: 2:45 p.m. - 8 p.m., Hunstville Utah Stake, 6450 E. 1900 N.
North Ogden
8/15/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., ARW Engineers, 1594 West Park Circle
Ogden
7/27/2018: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Ogden Regional Hospital, 5475 South 500 East
8/2/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Ogden Lorin Farr Stake, 770 15th Street
8/7/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Weber County Sheriff's Office, 721 West 12th St.
8/13/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Ogden Athletic Club, 1221 East 5800 South
8/15/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., Ogden Mound Fort Stake, 373 15th Street
Riverdale
8/3/2018: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Walmart, 4848 South 900 West
South Ogden
8/12/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Community United Methodist Church, 163 West 4800 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.
