Winter Storms Canceled Blood Drives Straining Red Cross Blood Supply

(UNDATED) – The American Red Cross is reissuing its emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now after multiple snowstorms, frigid temperatures and the government shutdown further reduced lifesaving donations.

In January, more than 4,600 Red Cross blood and platelet donations went uncollected as blood drives were forced to cancel due to severe winter weather blanketing parts of the U.S., and additional cancellations are expected this week. Weather travel advisories may cause even more donors to delay their planned donations. In Indiana, 5 blood drives were canceled due to winter weather in January, resulting in 146 uncollected donations.
Donors in areas affected by winter weather is asked to make an appointment now to give once it is safe to travel. The federal government shutdown also affected donations as more than 4 percent of Red Cross blood collections come from drives sponsored by military and local, state and federal government agencies. About 30 blood drives hosted by federal offices were canceled across the country due to the shutdown, leaving more than 900 donations uncollected.
“Disruptions to blood and platelet donations jeopardize the availability of blood for patients who depend on transfusions for survival,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager for Red Cross Indiana Ohio Blood Services Region. “We’re grateful for all those who have come out to give since we issued our emergency call earlier this month and now urge others to come out and give to prevent delays in essential medical care.”
Right now, Red Cross blood donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in, and there is less than a three-day supply of most blood types on hand. The Red Cross strives to maintain a five-day supply of blood to meet the needs of patients and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood products. 
All eligible donors, especially donors with type O blood, are urgently needed to help restock the shelves for hospital patients.
Donation appointments can be easily scheduled by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733- 2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 29-Feb. 28:
Bartholomew County
Columbus

• 2/14/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Indiana University Purdue University Columbus, 4601 Central Ave.
• 2/15/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Developmental Services Inc., 2920 10th Street

Lawrence County
Bedford

• 2/2/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1010 22nd Street
• 2/5/2019: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1515 20th Street
• 2/17/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Walmart, 3200 John Williams Blvd.
• 2/21/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 2202 M Street

Martin County
Loogootee

• 2/7/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Johns Catholic Church, 408 Church Street
• 2/8/2019: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Fair Haven Fellowship Church, County Road 550 North

Shoals

• 2/6/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Shoals Christian Church, 602 N. Main Street

Monroe County
Bloomington

• 1/31/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 221 E. 6th Street
• 1/31/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Indiana University McNutt Residence Center, 1101 N. Fee Lane
• 2/1/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
• 2/2/2019: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
• 2/5/2019: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Harmony School, 909 E Second St.
• 2/7/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
• 2/8/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
• 2/9/2019: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
• 2/11/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Indiana University – Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. 7th Street
• 2/14/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
• 2/15/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
• 2/16/2019: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
• 2/21/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
• 2/22/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
• 2/23/2019: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St.
• 2/26/2019: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 2700 E. Rogers Road

Ellettsville

• 2/25/2019: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Edgewood High School, 601 South Edgewood

Owen County
Spencer

• 2/1/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Owen Valley High School, 622 W. Hwy 46

‘Boone County
Whitestown

• 2/25/2019: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Whitestown Municipal Complex, 6201 Veterans Drive

Delaware County
Muncie

• 2/20/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Pruis Hall, McKinley Avenue

Hamilton County
Carmel

• 2/24/2019: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kroger – Carmel, 1217 South Range Line Road

Fishers

• 2/16/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kroger, 11700 Olio Road

Hendricks County
Brownsburg

• 2/26/2019: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lincoln Elementary School, 4807 Bulldog Way

Danville

• 2/23/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Northview Christian Church, 623 N. State Road 39

Madison County
Anderson

• 2/7/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Anderson University – OLT Student Center, 1215 University Blvd.
• 2/11/2019: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lowes Home Improvement, 3335 S Scatterfield Road

Marion County
Indianapolis

• 1/31/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Ortho-Indy, 8450 Northwest Blvd
• 2/1/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., IUPUI – School of Nursing, 600 Barnhill Drive
• 2/4/2019: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Indiana State Capitol, 200 West Washington Street
• 2/13/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Duke Realty, 600 E 96th St
• 2/15/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., University of Indianapolis – Health Pavilion, 1643 Hanna Avenue
• 2/19/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lawrence Central High School, 7300 East 56th Street
• 2/20/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Butler University, 704 West Hampton Drive
• 2/27/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., IUPUI – Jagathon, 420 University Blvd.
• 2/28/2019: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., IUPUI – North Hall, 820 West North Street

Jennings County
North Vernon

• 2/18/2019: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Senior Citizens Center, 515 Buckeye Street
• 2/22/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Jennings County High School, 800 West Walnut Street
• 2/28/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tea Creek Baptist Church, 5280 S. Co Rd 300 W.

Johnson County
Edinburgh

• 2/10/2019: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Camp Atterbury Building 614, Gatling Road

Franklin

• 2/9/2019: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Impact Christian Church, 2800 N. Graham Road

Greenwood

• 2/18/2019: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., CarDon & Associates, 1251 US 31 N
• 2/26/2019: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Johnson County Library White River Branch, 1664 Library Blvd.

Putnam County
Greencastle

• 2/12/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Student Union Building, 313 S Locust

Vigo County
Terre Haute

• 2/27/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Union Hospital, 1606 North 7th Street

How to donate blood 
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. 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.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or
CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.