Fight national blood and platelet shortage

The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood and platelet
shortage and asks the public to book a time to give as soon as possible. Donors of all blood types
are urgently needed, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets. The Red Cross offers
three ways to make a donation appointment that can help save lives:
 Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App
 Visit RedCrossBlood.org
 Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
The Red Cross experienced a significant blood and platelet donation shortfall in August, contributing to
the current blood and platelet shortage. To ensure the blood supply recovers, the Red Cross must
collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month to meet hospital and
patient needs.
“When blood and platelet supplies drop to critical levels, it makes hospitals and the patients they are
treating vulnerable – especially if there is a major accident or emergency medical procedure that requires
large quantities of blood during a disaster,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross. “A
single car accident victim can use as much as 100 units of blood. By making and keeping donation
appointments, donors can help keep hospital shelves stocked with blood products and ensure patients
have access to the timely care they deserve.”
As a thank-you, those who come to give Oct. 1-20, 2023, will receive a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by
email. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.
Unique challenges to blood supply
In late summer, the Red Cross national blood supply dropped by about 25% on the heels of one of the
busiest travel seasons and the beginning of back-to-school activities. As people settle back into fall
school and work routines, a unique challenge to the blood supply remains – many employees continue to
work from home or in a hybrid capacity, reducing the number of opportunities to give blood at business-
sponsored blood drives. In fact, before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 800,000 blood donations
were made at blood drives hosted by businesses. Last year, the Red Cross saw only about 500,000
blood donations at these locations – a nearly 40% drop from pre-pandemic levels.
This, coupled with an active disaster season, is creating a perfect “storm” and challenging the
organization’s ability to collect a sufficient amount of blood products to meet the needs of hospitals across
the country.
The Red Cross provides community blood drives and donation centers across the Central &
Southern Ohio Region. Those who may have previously given at a local business blood drive are
encouraged to book a time to give at one of these locations by downloading the Red Cross Blood
Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross has issued an emergency need appeal for all blood types. The urgent need is due to lower donations over the summer months plus the effects of the hurricane in Florida along with flooding and severe weather on the Eastern seaboard forcing cancellation of many blood drives. 

Please help us promote the following blood drives in Knox County:

Wednesday, October 4, at Mount Vernon Nazarene University from

     11:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Wednesday, October 4, at Martinsburg Community Center from

     12:30 PM – 06:30 PM

Thursday, October 5, at Apple Valley from

     12:00 PM – 05:30 PM

Tuesday, October 10, at Centerburg Church of Christ from

     1:00 PM – 07:00 PM

Wednesday, October 11, at Ogle Family Practice from

     9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Tuesday, October 17, at Community Christian Fellowship from

     1:00 PM – 06:00 PM

Tuesday, October 17, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Danville from

     12:30 PM – 06:30 PM

Thursday, October 19, at the Moose Lodge from

     10:00 AM – 04:00 PM

Thursday, October 19, at Knox Community Hospital from

     12:00 PM – 05:00 PM

Friday, October 20, at the Grand Hotel from

     12:00 PM – 05:00 PM

Tuesday October 24, at Kenyon College from

     11:00 AM – 05:00 PM

Wednesday, October 25, at Mount Vernon Nazarene University from

     11 AM -5 PM

Tuesday, October 31, at Bladensburg Center of Hope from

     10:00 AM – 4:00 PM