Virginia — The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now and help save lives. Blood donations have fallen short of expectations for the past two months, resulting in about 61,000 fewer donations than needed and causing a significant drawdown of the Red Cross blood supply. The shortfall is the equivalent of the Red Cross not collecting any blood donations for more than four days.
“It’s crucial that people donate now to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “Every day, blood and platelet donors can help save lives, and right now these heroes are needed to give as soon as possible.”
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross has added more than 25,000 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.
New donors and those who haven’t given in a while are especially encouraged to roll up a sleeve and help save lives. Nearly one-third fewer new blood donors came out to give last summer than during the rest of the year due in part to schools – where blood drives are held and where new donors give – being out of session during the summer months.
The Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood donations every day for patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 200:
7/5/2017: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m.
7/6/2017: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
7/7/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m.
7/8/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m.
7/9/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
7/10/2017: 1:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
7/11/2017: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
7/12/2017: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m.
7/13/2017: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
7/14/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m.
7/15/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m.
7/16/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
7/17/2017: 1:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
7/18/2017: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
7/19/2017: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m.
7/20/2017: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
7/21/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m.
7/22/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m.
7/23/2017: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
7/24/2017: 1:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
7/25/2017: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Herndon
7/10/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 432 Van Buren St.
Reston
7/5/2017: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., St Thomas a Becket RCC, 1421 Wiehle Ave
7/12/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Reston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.
7/14/2017: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr
For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.