Red Cross issues emergency plea for blood donors

The American Red Cross is pleading for donors to respond to its call to help the organization deal with a severe blood shortage.

According to the Red Cross, blood and platelet donations are critical to meet hospital demand and the public is being urged to make an appointment to give now.

 The Red Cross has been distributing about 12% more blood products to hospitals across the U.S. compared to this time last year, and says it needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day to meet the current hospital demand and end the severe blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially type O, which stands at just a one-day supply right now.

“As a Level I Trauma Center, we treat the most critically injured and ill, patients who are often recipients of blood,” said James Kravec, MD, chief clinical officer, Mercy Health – Youngstown. “Blood supply has become scarce and in order to continue to care for those here in the Valley, we must work hard as a community to ensure our loved ones have the supply should they need.”

To thank donors, all who come to give Aug. 1-15, 2021, will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exclusive, VIP trip for two to the sold-out 2021 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.

 Those who come to donate throughout August will also receive a free 4-month subscription offer to Apple Music by email (new subscribers only). More details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/FeelTheBeat.

Donors may schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the 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.

In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 1-15

Columbiana County

East Palestine

• 8/3/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Church of Christ, 20 W. Martin Street

Salem

• 8/2/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Elks Lodge 305, 824 E. State St
• 8/13/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., CenterPlex, 1098 N. Ellsworth Avenue

Mahoning County

Austintown

• 8/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Austintown Library, 600 S. Raccoon Rd

Boardman

• 8/4/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Valley Christian Church, 7155 Glenwood Ave
• 8/5/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Akron Children’s Hospital, 6505 Market St
• 8/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Boardman Public Library, 7680 Glenwood Avenue

Canfield

• 8/11/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., South Range High School, 11300 Columbiana-Canfield Rd
• 8/12/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Old North Church, 7105 Herbert Drive

Poland

• 8/6/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Poland Library, 311 S. Main Street

Youngstown

• 8/3/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St. Elizabeth Hospital Boardman, 8401 Market Street
• 8/5/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Patrick Church Youngstown, 1420 Oak Hill

Trumbull County

Brookfield

• 8/4/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Brookfield Fire Department, Rt. 7

Cortland

• 8/11/2021: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Cortland United Methodist Church, 155 N. High Street

Warren

• 8/3/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Champion Christian Church, 151 Center St W.