Blood supply rebuilding, but much more is needed

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.

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 through 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.

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.

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 800-733-2767.