Red Cross calls for healthy blood donors following severe weather
NASHVILLE, TN, Feb. 22, 2021 — Following record-breaking cold and winter storms that forced the cancellation of more than 10,000 blood and platelet donations in parts of the U.S. in February, the American Red Cross is urging healthy individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give now to ensure blood products are available for patient emergencies when help cannot wait.
Everyday thousands of patients rely on lifesaving blood donations. The need for blood is constant, even during ice and snowstorms and the COVID-19 pandemic. To help ensure lifesaving patient care is not impacted, individuals are urged to make appointments to donate in the coming days and weeks by downloading 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.
Tina Rocco knows firsthand how important it is to have blood on hospital shelves. After welcoming baby Gemma by cesarean section, she began hemorrhaging badly and was rushed back into the operating room. “I was later told it was several pints of blood and an amazing doctor that saved my life,” Rocco said. “That allowed me to hold my first daughter and go home all together as a family of three.”
Before that day, Rocco had not known anyone who needed blood transfusions. Now, this grateful mother says, “You truly never know when you, or someone you love, might need it.”
Important COVID-19 information for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet, and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 22-March 15
Johnson County, IL
Vienna
3/15/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Fellowship Baptist Church, 890 Senior Avenue
Pulaski County, IL
Ullin
2/24/2021: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Shawnee Community College, 8364 Shawnee College Rd.
3/9/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cross Road United Methodist Church, 1289 Ullin Ave
Calloway County, KY
Murray
2/25/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1620 West Main St
3/3/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1601 Main Street
3/11/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1620 West Main St
3/12/2021: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., First Financial Bank, 210 North 12th Street
Carlisle County, KY
Bardwell
3/4/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bardwell Community, 65 John Roberts Drive
Fulton County, KY
Fulton
3/2/2021: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., First Baptist Church, 115 Second St
Graves County, KY
Lowes
3/11/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Lowes Elementary School, 6775 State RT. 440
Mayfield
2/23/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion, 211 South 7th
2/26/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., CFSB Mayfield, 100 Dick Castleman Bypass
3/10/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion, 211 South 7th
Symsonia
3/4/2021: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Symsonia Elementary School, 11730 State Route 131
Livingston County, KY
Smithland
3/5/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Smithland First Baptist Church, 237 Court Street
Lyon County, KY
Eddyville
2/26/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Lyon County Convention Center @ Lee S Jones Park, 172 Lee S Jones Park
Kuttawa
3/8/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church Kuttawa, 316 Walnut Drive
Marshall County, KY
Benton
2/22/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Central Elementary School Marshall County, 115 Jim Goheen Drive
3/1/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., CFSB Benton Banking Center, 221 West 5th Street
3/10/2021: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Briensburg Church of Christ, 2349 Benton Briensburg Road
3/11/2021: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Draffenville Pharmacy, 153 US-68
3/15/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Woodmen Life, 1005 Poplar Street
Calvert City
2/23/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Altona Baptist Church, 5817 US HWY 62
2/25/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Calvert City Church of Christ, 4625 US Highway 62
3/8/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Calvert City Civic Center, 991 E. 5th Ave.
Hardin
3/19/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Hardin Baptist Church, 218 College Street
McCracken County, KY
Paducah
2/21/2021: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
2/22/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 6125 Blandville Rd.
2/22/2021: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
2/23/2021: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
2/24/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Concord United Methodist Church, 5178 Hinkleville Road
2/24/2021: 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Reidland Church of Christ, 5500 Kentucky Dam Road
2/25/2021: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
2/26/2021: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
2/27/2021: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
2/28/2021: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/1/2021: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., First Christian Church, 415 Audubon Drive
3/1/2021: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/2/2021: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/4/2021: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/5/2021: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/6/2021: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/7/2021: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/8/2021: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/9/2021: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/10/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Concord United Methodist Church, 5178 Hinkleville Road
3/11/2021: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/12/2021: 8:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/13/2021: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/14/2021: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
3/14/2021: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 9701 Blandville Road
3/15/2021: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Paducah Blood Donation Center, 4635 Falconcrest Drive
Hickman County, TN
Centerville
3/1/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Fairfield Church of Christ, 1860 Hwy. 100
About blood donation
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. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.