Red Cross in Arcadia Issues Urgent Call for Blood Donors

The Red Cross needs you to donate. – Courtesy photo

Blood supply dwindles after donations lagged during Fourth of July holiday week

An emergency blood shortage is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now and help save lives.

The Red Cross escalated its call for blood and platelet donors after a difficult Independence Day week for donations. There were approximately 550 fewer blood drives organized by businesses and other community groups that week than during a typical week as individuals across the country celebrated the holiday and enjoyed summer activities. This could equate to as many as 15,000 fewer donations than needed, causing donations to now be distributed to hospitals faster than they come in.

“Each and every day, individuals across the country depend on blood and platelet donations for lifesaving treatments and emergency care, so it’s critical that people donate now to meet these needs,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “Whether you’ve never donated or give a couple of times a year, you’re needed to give as soon as possible to help save patient lives. Yours may be the donation a patient is counting on.”

This need is especially critical for type O blood donors. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first to be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations. Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call (800) RED-CROSS (733-2767). The Red Cross has added about 6,500 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Alhambra

• July 20: 10:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. at Alhambra Masonic Lodge, located at 9 W Woodward.
• July 31: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Alhambra Hospital Medical Center, located at 100 S Raymond Ave.

Arcadia

• July 16: 2-7 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, located at 1881 S. 1st Avenue.
• July 30: 1-7 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration.