CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelets, urging all eligible donors to give now to replenish an extremely low summer blood supply.
Blood donations have fallen short of hospital needs for the past few months, resulting in about 39,000 fewer donations than what’s needed, as well as a significant draw down of the overall Red Cross blood supply.
In addition, the Independence Day holiday may have caused many regular donors to postpone donations due to vacation plans. A recent Red Cross poll revealed that more than 75 percent of donors surveyed indicated vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after July 4.
How to Help
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 is extending hours at many donation sites to allow for more donors to make an appointment to give. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to avoid longer wait times. Donors with all blood types are needed.
Those unable to give can still help by encouraging others to give through a SleevesUp virtual blood drive at redcrossblood.org/sleevesup, giving of their time through volunteerism or making a financial donation to support Red Cross humanitarian work across the country and around the world.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
Fort Campbell Commissary, 2606 Indiana Ave., Fort Campbell, KY 42223
7/5/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Dickson Cumberland Presbyterian, 500 Highway 70 E., Dickson, TN 37055
7/14/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
American Red Cross, 1760 Madison St., Clarksville, TN 37043
7/6/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
7/11/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
7/25/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church Woodlawn, 2751 Woodlawn Road, Woodlawn, TN 37191
7/30/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.