Local, area blood drives scheduled during June
WICHITA — The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise – and deplete the nation’s blood inventory.
Donors of all blood types – especially type O – are urged to make an appointment to give as soon as possible to prevent further impact to patients.
READ: Have you made your appointment to help PUMP Up The Volume?
Right now, hospitals are responding to an atypically high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. In comparison to 2019, the Red Cross has seen demand from trauma centers climb by 10% in 2021− more than five times the growth of other facilities that provide blood transfusions.
“When seconds count in emergency trauma situations, it’s the blood already on the shelves that can make the difference in lifesaving care,” said Dr. Matthew Coleman, medical director, Red Cross Kansas Oklahoma Region. “As many people begin to enjoy travel and time with loved ones again this summer, patients are relying on the generosity of donors to help ensure they have access to the treatment they need. Please consider blood donation as a summer activity that can help save lives.”
Patients need the help of the American people. Schedule an appointment to give blood now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
In addition to trauma needs, there is a great hospital demand for blood as people who deferred care during the height of the pandemic present with more advanced disease progression, requiring increased blood transfusions. Over the last three months, the Red Cross has distributed about 75,000 more blood products than expected to meet these needs. As a result of this shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes. Blood is perishable and cannot be stockpiled, so it must constantly be replenished by generous blood donors.
Donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood now. As a thank-you, those who come to give now through June 30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. (Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
Final weeks for COVID-19 antibody testing
As more than a third of Americans have become fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the Red Cross is winding down COVID-19 antibody testing for blood, platelet and plasma donations.
Through June 25, the Red Cross is testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Testing may show possible exposure to the virus or whether a donor has developed an immune response to vaccination. The conclusion of Red Cross antibody testing represents a new, hopeful phase as the nation continues to journey out of this pandemic.
World Sickle Cell Day: June 19
June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day, an important day for the more than 100,000 individuals with sickle cell disease in the U.S. Most people with this disease are of African descent and will require regular blood transfusions to help manage their disease. Some individuals with sickle cell disease may require as many as 100 units of blood per year.
The Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Since the best blood match for a patient receiving ongoing transfusions comes from donors of the same genetic background, the Red Cross encourages people of all ethnicities to give blood and help increase the number of diverse donors so we can find the best match for all patients.
Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Local and area blood donation opportunities
CLOUD COUNTY
Concordia
June 29: noon - 6 p.m., Catholic Church, 307 East 5th
June 30: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., OCCK Inc, 1502 Lincoln Street
ELLSWORTH COUNTY
Ellsworth
June 16: noon - 6 p.m., St Bernard's Catholic Church, 911 N. Kansas
LINCOLN COUNTY
Lincoln
June 25: 1 - 6 p.m., Christian Community Center, 137 N. 4th Street
MCPHERSON COUNTY
Inman
June 18: noon - 6 p.m., St Peters United Church of Christ, 111 Pine
Moundridge
June 25: noon - 6 p.m., West Zion Church, 101 S. Washington
MITCHELL COUNTY
Beloit
June 17: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., OCCK-Beloit, 501 W. 7th Street
Tipton
June 23: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 416 Pitt
REPUBLIC COUNTY
Belleville
June 30: noon - 6 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1827 Q Street
SALINE COUNTY
Assaria
June 22: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Assaria Lutheran Church, 124 W. First
Salina
June 18: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Tony's Pizza Events Center, 800 The Midway
June 21: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., The Temple, 336 S. Santa Fe
June 21: noon - 5 p.m., Belmont Boulevard Christian, 2508 Belmont Boulevard
June 23: noon - 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, 845 S. Ohio
June 28: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., OCCK, 1710 W. Schilling Road
June 28: noon - 7 p.m., Sunrise Presbyterian, 825 E. Beloit
June 29: noon - 7 p.m., Sunrise Presbyterian, 825 E. Beloit
June 30: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sunrise Presbyterian, 825 E. Beloit