Since announcing a national blood and platelet shortage a month ago, thousands of donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to help rebuild the American Red Cross blood and platelet supply. As that generosity continues, the Red Cross is working around-the-clock to ensure patients have access to lifesaving transfusions and must collect 10,000 additional blood and platelet donations — over and above expectations — each week over the next month to sufficiently meet hospital needs. Donors of all blood types are urged to book a time to give now, especially those with type O blood or those giving platelets.
Don’t wait — patients are counting on critical care this fall. To make an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
To encourage more blood and platelet donations, the Red Cross is offering new incentives to donors over the next month. All who come to give Oct. 21-Nov. 9 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a restaurant merchant of their choice to enjoy lunch on the Red Cross. They’ll also be automatically entered to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three lucky winners – one chosen at random each week. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Lunch.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines don’t affect donor eligibility. As cold and flu season quickly approaches, the Red Cross is reminding donors that they can still give blood or platelets after receiving a flu vaccine, so long as they are feeling healthy and well on the day of their donation. Likewise, there is no deferral or wait time for those receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities are listed below.
Clinton County
Nov. 6, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion Hall, 601 South Clinton Street, Aviston.
Nov. 6, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Hoffman Village Hall, 110 East Park Avenue, Hoffman.
Oct. 23, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mater Dei High School, 900 North Mater Dei Drive, Breese.
Jefferson County
Oct. 24, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Rolland Lewis Community Building, South 27th Street, Mount Vernon.
Nov. 1, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Dix Community Center, 217 North Main, Dix.
Nov. 8, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Bluford Elementary School, 907 West 6th Street, Bluford.
Marion County
Oct. 23, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Odin Public School, 102 South Merritt, Odin.
Oct. 27, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Central City Elementary School, 129 Douglas Street, Centralia.
Nov. 1, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Kaskaskia College, 27210 College Road, Centralia.
Nov. 9, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Luther B Easley American Legion Post 128, 1001 E. Main, Salem.
Washington County
Oct. 24, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Nashville High School, 1300 South Mill, Nashville.
Oct. 25, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Grupo Antolin, 18355 Enterprise Ave., Nashville.
Nov. 7, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Washington County Hospital-Nashville, 705 South Grand, Nashville.
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 have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
