The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.
For 20 years the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusions. Blood products are going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.
Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Delhi Jan. 11: 1 - 6 p.m., Delhi Alliance Church, 16178 state Route 28;
Margaretville Jan. 22: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Margaretville Central School, 415 Main Street;
Sidney Jan. 29: 1 - 6 p.m., American Legion Post 183, 22 Union Street;
Sidney Center Jan. 30: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES, 270 BOCES Drive, Route 206;
Walton Jan. 16: 1:30 - 6 p.m., Pines Brook Church, 1444 Pines Brook Road.
