Critical Need for Blood Donors after the Holidays

(UNDATED) – The American Red Cross currently has a critical need
for blood donors of all blood types – especially type O – and platelet donors to make an appointment now to give and help replenish the blood supply after the holiday weeks. Right now, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of type O blood. To help tackle the critical need, the Red Cross and NFL are working together to offer one lucky winner a trip to Super Bowl LIV in Miami.

During the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s, about 500 fewer blood drives were hosted by volunteer sponsor groups than required to meet patient needs. Many groups postpone blood drives during the winter holidays when travel and holiday activities may make it challenging for many donors to give. In fact, AAA estimated that a record 115.6 million Americans traveled during the holiday period of Dec. 21 through Jan. 1.

November 28, 2017. Orem, Utah. Natalia Mayorga gives blood at her school’s blood drive. Photo by Amanda Romney/American Red Cross

“Lifesaving medical treatments and emergencies never take a holiday,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager, Red Cross Indiana Ohio Biomedical Services. “Declines in donations can affect patient care. That’s why the Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to make an appointment to give now and help those sidelined by illness and trauma.”

Donors are urged to make an appointment to give now 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.

March 11, 2019. Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee. Photographs from blood bank at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, blood donations at Red Cross on Monday, March 11, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Sanford Myers/American Red Cross

As a special thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets Jan. 1-19, 2020, will automatically be entered for a chance to experience the Super Bowl live. The Red Cross and NFL have teamed up to offer one winner two tickets to Super Bowl LIV, entry to the official NFL Tailgate, tickets to Super Bowl Experience at the Miami Beach Convention Center, round-trip airfare to Miami, three-night hotel accommodations at The Alexander ® – All Suite
Oceanfront Resort (Jan. 31 to Feb. 3), and a $500 gift card for expenses.* Additional details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

“The Red Cross appreciates the NFL’s support during this crucial time of year when every donation – and every donor – matters. We hope this may inspire some to make regular blood donation one of their New Year’s resolutions,” said Wilson.

Who Blood Donations Help

This fall, 13-year-old Josh Roy and his family learned the importance of blood donations firsthand. In October, Josh contracted a severe case of influenza B and necrotizing staph pneumonia. He was transported to the hospital, was put on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine that circulates blood through an artificial lung and eventually needed a tracheostomy tube. Josh has received multiple blood transfusions during his treatment.

“You never know when someone you love might end up needing a blood transfusion,” said Jaqueline Bakehorn, Josh’s aunt. “We are so thankful for those who have given blood and would love to see more people donate.”

Josh is still hospitalized but is making slow, gradual progress. He faces a long road to recovery and may need additional blood transfusions along the way.

Monroe County

Bloomington

  • 1/8/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
  • 1/11/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
  • 1/15/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., School of Education, 201 N. Rose Avenue
  • 1/15/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
  • 1/18/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
  • 1/20/2020: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Culver’s – Bloomington, 1918 W 3rd St
  • 1/22/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
  • 1/23/2020: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Indiana University Cyberinfrastructure Building, 2709 East 10th Street
  • 1/23/2020: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Indiana University Wells Library, 1320 E. 10th Street
  • 1/25/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
  • 1/27/2020: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Indiana University – Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. 7th Street
  • 1/29/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
  • 1/29/2020: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Harmony School, 909 E Second St.

Bartholomew County

Columbus

  • 1/9/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Commons, 300 Washington Street
  • 1/28/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bartholomew County Library, 536 5th Street


Hope

  • 1/13/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Hope Moravian Church, 202 Main Street

Brown County

Nashville

  • 1/29/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 1750 East State Road 46

Jennings County

North Vernon

  • 1/7/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saint Vincent Jennings Hospital, 301 Henry Street
  • 1/20/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 240 Poplar

Morgan County

Mooresville

  • 1/14/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Core Fitness Club, 149 E High Street

Vigo County


Terre Haute

  • 1/7/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Vigo County Public Library, 1 Library Square

How to Donate Blood

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.