CLEVELAND, Ohio - The American Red Cross is putting out an urgent call for blood donations to prevent a shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments.

Now that Ohio has lifted a temporary suspension of those medical services put in place earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Red Cross anticipates an increased need for blood.

In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid the public health crisis. At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed.

“We need the public’s help to avoid another blood shortage this summer,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services.

Red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. So, they must constantly be replenished.

There is no known end date for the coronavirus pandemic and the Red Cross says it urgently needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.

The Red Cross is asking healthy people who are feeling well to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

All those who come to give through May 31 will receive a special Red Cross T-shirt by mail, while supplies last. And thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.*

Blood drive safety precautions

The Red Cross says its blood drive and donation centers follows standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff,

Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face-covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance. 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities, May 27-June 15:

Columbiana

5/28/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Das Dutch Village Inn, 150 Ohio 14

Salem

6/1/2020: 2:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Elks Lodge 305, 824 E. State St

6/12/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Salem Community Center, 1098 N. Ellsworth Avenue

Austintown

6/2/2020: 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Austintown Library, 600 S. Raccoon Rd

Canfield

6/8/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Rd

Poland

6/5/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Poland Library, 311 S. Main Street

Youngstown

5/27/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave

5/28/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Youngstown Skate, 7080 Tiffany Blvd.

6/4/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Rd

6/10/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Valley Christian Church, 7155 Glenwood Ave

Brookfield

6/3/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Yankee Lake Ballroom, 1814 OH St. Rt. 7

Cortland

6/10/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Garden Brook Banquet Center, 4820 Warren Road

Warren

5/27/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., St Demetrios Community Center, 3223 Atlantic St.

6/1/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Howland Community Church, 198 Niles-Cortland Rd.

6/2/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Champion Presbyterian Church, 4997 Mahoning Ave. NW

6/6/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St Pauls Lutheran Church, 2860 East Market St.

6/11/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., St Demetrios Community Center, 3223 Atlantic St.

6/15/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Howland Community Church, 198 Niles-Cortland Rd.

About blood donation

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.