The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces dangerous levels of heat and people head out for final summer travel plans. Since July 1, the Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25%, and blood donors of all types, especially those with type O blood, are urged to give as soon as possible to help patients receive lifesaving medical care.
Heat impacted almost 100 blood drives in July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood – compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation, such as travel and summer activities. Together these factors contributed to a shortfall of more than 17,000 blood donations in July. At the same time, hospital demand for blood products remains strong. Blood products are being sent to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Right now, type O inventory is so low, distributions of this vital blood type are reduced below what hospitals count on.
“It’s critical hospitals have both type O positive and O negative blood ready to go for patients in the most life-threatening situations,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “Type O is especially important for victims of accidents and other trauma who are receiving emergency treatment. Now is the time for donors of all blood types to give and ensure hospital shelves can be restocked before any impact to patient care.”
The Red Cross is working with hospitals around-the-clock to meet the blood needs of patients – but can’t do it alone. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a thank-you, those who come give blood, platelets or plasma Aug. 1-31, 2024, will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 5-31:
NC
Avery
Newland
8/12/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Linville Land Harbor Recreation Complex, 22 Land Harbor Pkwy
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Buncombe
Arden
8/30/2024: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Lowe’s 2201 Arden, 19 McKenna Road
Asheville
8/5/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/6/2024: 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/6/2024: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Beverly Hills Baptist Church, 777 Tunnel Road
8/7/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Buncombe County Employees Administration Building, 200 College Street
8/7/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/8/2024: 7 a.m. – 11 a.m., Charles George V.A. Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Road
8/8/2024: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Charles George V.A. Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Road
8/9/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/10/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/11/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/13/2024: 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/14/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/16/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/16/2024: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Lowe’s 0617, 89 South Tunnel Road
8/17/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/18/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/19/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/20/2024: 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/20/2024: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road
8/20/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Chick-fil-A, 170 Merrimon Avenue
8/21/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/23/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/24/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/25/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/26/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/27/2024: 10 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/28/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/29/2024: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Univ of NC Asheville – Highsmith Student Center, 1 University Heights
8/30/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Asheville Blood Donation Center, 100 Edgewood Road
8/30/2024: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Univ of NC Asheville – Highsmith Student Center, 1 University Heights
Weaverville
8/9/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Weaverville Community Center at Dottie Sherrill Knoll, 60 Lakeshore Drive
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Madison
Mars Hill
8/23/2024: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Beech Glen Community Center, 2936 Beech Glen Rd
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McDowell
Marion
8/6/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., McDowell Tech College, 54 College Drive
8/28/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Marion Community Building, 191 North Main Street
Nebo
8/12/2024: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Nebo First Baptist Church, 5360 US Hwy 70 E
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Yancey
Burnsville
8/7/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Bolens Creek Baptist Church, 19 Heavenly Lane
8/16/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Burnsville Fire Department, 305 Pineola St.
8/26/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Rotary Club of Burnsville, 600 W US Hwy 19 E
8/27/2024: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Higgins Methodist Church, 101 N. Main Street
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
