Emergency blood shortage: Red Cross supply drops 25%
Donors urged to give as extreme heat, travel plans threaten already low blood levels
$20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email for coming to give in August
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces dangerous levels of heat and people head out for final summer travel plans. Since July 1, the Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25%, and blood donors of all types, especially those with type O blood, are urged to give as soon as possible to help patients receive lifesaving medical care.
Heat impacted almost 100 blood drives in July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood – compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation, such as travel and summer activities. Together these factors contributed to a shortfall of more than 19,000 blood donations in July. At the same time, hospital demand for blood products remains strong. Blood products are being sent to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Right now, type O inventory is so low, distributions of this vital blood type are reduced below what hospitals count on.
“It’s critical hospitals have both type O positive and O negative blood ready to go for patients in the most life-threatening situations,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “Type O is especially important for victims of accidents and other trauma who are receiving emergency treatment. Now is the time for donors of all blood types to give and ensure hospital shelves can be restocked before any impact to patient care.”
The Red Cross is working with hospitals around-the-clock to meet the blood needs of patients – but can’t do it alone. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a thank-you, those who come give blood, platelets or plasma Aug. 1-31, 2024, will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.
We need your help to support individuals and families impacted by Tropical Storm Debby. The Red Cross is also calling on volunteers to help with food, distribution, and shelter. Volunteers will receive training to support these operations.
Your time and talents can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need!
Please share this email widely. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Alex Taylor directly at: (912) 665 1070
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 5-31:
Bryan
Richmond Hill
8/28/2024: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., J.F. Gregory Park, 500 Cedar Street
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Bulloch
Portal
8/23/2024: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Portal High School, 27245 Hwy 80 West
Statesboro
8/9/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Eastern Heights Baptist Church, 23805 Highway 80 East
8/15/2024: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., GA Southern Univ. Williams Center, 74 Georgia Avenue
8/16/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Southbridge Community Church, 12376 U S Highway 301 South
8/21/2024: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., F.D. Russell Union Ballroom, 1 Forest Drive
8/26/2024: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., GA Southern Univ. Williams Center, 74 Georgia Avenue
8/27/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ogeechee Technical College Jack Hill Building, 20 Joe Kennedy Boulevard
8/28/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bulloch Academy, 873 Westside Road
8/30/2024: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church, 4 S. Zetterower Avenue
8/31/2024: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Georgia Southern University Russell Union, 85 Georgia Ave.
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Chatham
Garden City
8/21/2024: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Georgia Ports Authority, 100 North Main Street
Pooler
8/30/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Joseph's/Candler Pooler Campus, 101 St. Joseph's/Candler Dr.
Savannah
8/6/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Savannah Area Board of Realtors, 7015 Hodgson Memorial Dr
8/6/2024: 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/7/2024: 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/8/2024: 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/9/2024: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., J C Lewis Health Clinic, 5 Mall Way
8/9/2024: 9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/9/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, 400 Airways Ave.
8/10/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/11/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/13/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Port City Logistics-Portside Court, 151 Portside Ct
8/13/2024: 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/14/2024: 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/15/2024: 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/16/2024: 9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/17/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/18/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/20/2024: 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/21/2024: 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/22/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Islands High School, 170 Whitemarsh Island Rd.
8/22/2024: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Asbury Memorial Church, 1008 East Henry Street
8/22/2024: 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/23/2024: 9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/24/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/25/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/27/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sterling Seacrest Partners, 1001 Whitaker St., Rear Building
8/27/2024: 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/28/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Keller Williams Realty, 329 Commerical Drive
8/28/2024: 1 p.m. - 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/29/2024: 1 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/30/2024: 9 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
8/31/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave
Tybee Island
8/12/2024: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tybee Island YMCA Cafeteria, 204 5th Street
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Effingham
Guyton
8/7/2024: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Living Faith Church, 3789 Noel C. Conway Rd.
8/14/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Guyton Gymnasium, 505 Magnolia St.
Rincon
8/6/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Goshen United Methodist Church, 107 Goshen Rd
8/8/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Effingham YMCA, 1224 Patriot Drive
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Evans
Bellville
8/20/2024: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Pinewood Christian Academy, 1 Buck Cravey Dr
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Liberty
Fort Stewart
8/16/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fort Stewart - Marne Chapel, 484 Colmar Ave, Building 610
Hinesville
8/6/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ameris Bank, 101 W Hendry St
8/8/2024: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hinesville Public Library, 236 West Memorial Drive
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Tattnall
Reidsville
8/19/2024: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Grace Pointe Church, 121 Brazell Street
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