American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave blood this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas.
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care.
When Idalia slammed into the Southeast – leading to widespread power outages, travel hazards and flooding – the storm also forced the cancellation of over a dozen blood drives and caused hundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This compounded a shortfall of about 30,000 donations in August. Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in.
The Red Cross needs blood and platelet donors now. Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
In thanks for helping rebuild the blood supply, all who come to give Sept. 1-18 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give throughout September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/RaceToGive.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 11-30:Click here for a list of mobile drives in Kansas.Visit redcrossblood.org to see available appointments at the Salina donor center.
September is Sickle Cell Awareness MonthOne in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease. To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the Red Cross launched the Sickle Cell Initiative in 2021 to grow the number of blood donors who are Black and improve health outcomes for patients. Together longtime and first-time blood donors are helping patients with sickle cell manage their symptoms and showing support for their community.
Joined by Blood is the initiative’s focus during Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September and continues through October. This year, the Red Cross is proud to partner with organizations focused on mentorship, including 100 Black Men of America, Inc.; Kier’s Hope Foundation, Inc.; historically Black colleges and universities and member organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council; as well as the Black Radio Hall of Fame and others, who are all showing up for patients with sickle cell by hosting blood drives. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood.
How to donate bloodTo make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. 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.
Amplify your impact − volunteerA stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we are in the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters.
Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.
Upcoming Mobile Blood Drives:
Osborne
Natoma
9/26/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Natoma Community Center, 709 N 2nd St.
Osborne
9/12/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Veteran's Building, 123 W Main St.
9/21/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Osborne Industries, 120 N. Industrial Ave.
Cloud
Glasco
9/29/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Pauls Lutheran Church, Main and Haynes
Dickinson
Chapman
9/21/2023: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St. Michaels, 210 E 6th
Hope
9/15/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., First National Bank of Hope, 112 N. Main
Ottawa
Bennington
9/27/2023: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Bennington Community Fire/EMS, 584 N. 180th Road
Clay
Clay Center
9/22/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Catholic Parish Center, 714 Court Street
Wakefield
9/28/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wakefield High School, 502 Third Street
Russell
Russell
9/22/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Otterbein Methodist Church, 527 N Maple St.
Saline
Assaria
9/26/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Assaria Lutheran Church, 124 W. First
Gypsum
9/14/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Unified School District 306 Office, 5056 East K-4 Highway
Salina
9/11/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Southern Baptist Church, 2401 S. Ohio
9/14/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Tonys Pizza Service, 3123 Centennial Road
9/18/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., St John's Lutheran Church, 302 South Seventh
9/29/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Heartland Early Education, 700 Jupiter
McPherson
Canton
9/28/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Community Center, 100 W. McPherson
Galva
9/16/2023: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Sunflower School, 2192 Eisenhower
Lindsborg
9/18/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bethany College, 335 E. Swensson
9/25/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 224 S. Main
McPherson
9/11/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 N. Elm
9/12/2023: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 N. Elm
9/20/2023: 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Westlake Pipe & Fittings, 500 W. First St.
9/22/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 600 E Marlin
Rice
Sterling
9/12/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., CrossPoint Church, 109 West Garfield Ave.
Marion
Hillsboro
9/18/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wohlgemuth Building, 400 S. Jefferson
Marion
9/14/2023: 1:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Eastmoor United Methodist Church, 105 Eastmoor