Donors needed: Red Cross still facing severe blood shortage

        The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products.
        Currently, the Red Cross is working around the clock to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care.
        In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans are receiving their vaccinations and resuming summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout.
        Schedule an appointment to give blood 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.
        As a thank-you, donors who come to donate hrough July 31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). (Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel).
        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.
        Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:
        • Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway – Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
        • Fremont: July 12, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Terra State Community College, 2830 Napoleon Rd.
        • Woodville: July 13, noon-5 p.m., Woodville Township Fire Department, 321 E. Main St.
        • Bowling Green: July 13, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Courthouse Complex, 1 Courthouse Square.
        • Oregon: July 15, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., The Intersection Church, 1640 South Coy Rd.
        • Pemberville: July 15, 1-7 p.m., Eastwood Elementary School, 4700 Sugar Ridge Rd.
        To donate blood, 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.
        Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass. With RapidPass, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
        Health insights for donors
        At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also 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. 
        Donors can expect to receive 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.  
        For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or follow on Twitter at @RedCross.