The American Red Cross is in desperate need of blood donations.
Nov. 13, 2018) — The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and urgently needs blood and platelet donors to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients. Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter.
During September and October, the Red Cross collected over 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than what hospitals needed. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Fewer blood drives in September and October coupled with hurricanes Michael and Florence, which caused thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected, were key contributing factors to the current blood shortage.
“This time of year, as many give thanks for family, friends and good health, it’s important to remember that patients across the country cannot survive without your generosity,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “From traumas to ongoing cancer treatments, the need for blood doesn’t stop for the holidays. People can give back – and help those in need – by making a lifesaving blood or platelet donation now and hosting a blood drive in the weeks to come.”
An additional 4,300 blood drives nationally are needed in December, January and February to help stop the shortage from continuing throughout winter. Donations often decline during the winter holidays when many groups postpone blood drives while regular donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. Severe winter weather may also cause blood drive cancellations contributing to fewer donations than needed.
To encourage donations around the Thanksgiving holiday, those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross Nov. 21-24 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Upcoming Blood Drives in Frederick County:
Brunswick
12/9/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ladies Auxiliary Brunswick Vol. Ambulance & Rescue Co., 200 W Potomac Street
11/14/2018: 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saint John’s Catholic Prep, 3989 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick
11/13/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/14/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/16/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/17/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/18/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/19/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/20/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/21/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/23/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/24/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/25/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/26/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/26/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Whitaker Campus Center Commons, 401 Rosemont Ave.
11/27/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Frederick Memorial Hospital, 400 W 7th St.
11/27/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/28/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
11/30/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/1/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/2/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/3/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/4/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/5/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/5/2018: 1:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Calvary UMC-Frederick, 131 W Second St.
12/7/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/8/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/9/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/10/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/11/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/12/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/14/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/15/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Frederick Blood Donation Center, 141 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 120
12/15/2018: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Soldierfit, 8420 Gas House Pike
Ijamsville
12/4/2018: 2 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., St Ignatius Loyola, 4103 Prices Distillery Rd.
Middletown
12/1/2018: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Christ Reformed UCC, 12 South Church St.
Monrovia
11/23/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Bush Creek Church of the Brethren, 4821A Green Valley Road
12/2/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Rotary Club of Southern Frederick, 11791 Fingerboard Road
Mount Airy
11/19/2018: 2 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Mt Airy Volunteer Fire Co. Activities Ground, 1008 Twin Arch Road
12/1/2018: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Damascus Road Community Church, 12826 Old National Pike