WICHITA — The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free 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 recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30 percent after sharply declining in early April amid this rapidly changing and complex public health crisis. At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed. Donors are needed to make and keep scheduled appointments to help meet the current need.
All those who come to give through May 31 will receive a special Red Cross T-shirt by mail, while supplies last. And thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. ( Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
“Blood donors have played a vital role in the lives of patients who have needed lifesaving transfusions during this pandemic, and patients continue to depend on donors each and every day,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “The Red Cross appreciates the support of those who rolled up a sleeve to give in recent months, but the need doesn’t stop. We need the public’s help to avoid another blood shortage this summer.”
It’s important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. So, they must constantly be replenished. There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.
Blood drive safety precautions
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities through June 15
CLOUD COUNTY
Glasco
5/29/2020: noon - 6 p.m., St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Main and Haynes
ELLSWORTH COUNTY
Ellsworth
6/15/2020: noon - 6 p.m., St Bernard's Catholic Church, 911 North Kansas
Wilson
6/5/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, K-232 and Hwy 40
JEWELL COUNTY
Mankato
6/11/2020: noon - 6 p.m., Mankato Community Center, 214 North High
LINCOLN COUNTY
Sylvan Grove
5/29/2020: noon - 6 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 308 North Indiana
MCPHERSON COUNTY
Lindsborg
6/1/2020: noon - 6 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 224 South Main
Marquette
6/9/2020: noon - 6 p.m., Elim Lutheran Church, 405 N. Lincoln
McPherson
5/28/2020: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., City of McPherson, 400 East Kansas Avenue
Moundridge
6/9/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Grace Crossing Church, 111 Cole Street
OTTAWA COUNTY
Minneapolis
6/10/2020: noon - 6 p.m., Catholic Church, 117 East Vine
REPUBLIC COUNTY
Cuba
6/1/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Community Center, 200 Baird Street
SALINE COUNTY
Salina
5/31/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., The Temple, 336 South Santa Fe Avenue
6/2/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, 120 West Ash Street
6/2/2020: noon - 6 p.m., Church of the Cross, 1600 Rush Street
About blood donation
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.