Red Cross urges blood and platelet donations after Hurricane Dorian impacts blood supply
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Sept. 9, 2019) — As the American Red Cross works around the clock supporting those impacted by Hurricane Dorian, providing food, shelter and comfort, individuals outside the affected areas are urged to help by giving blood or platelets to ensure patients in the storm’s path and around the country have access to lifesaving blood. People can also help by making a financial donation to support relief efforts.
Hurricane Dorian has forced the closure of blood donation centers and the cancellation of blood drives in its path, causing blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. When blood donations are disrupted in a region of the country, the Red Cross is able to move blood donations where they are needed most.
How to help
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to ensure a sufficient supply for patients. Type O and B blood donors are especially needed. Make an appointment to donate blood now 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.
Financial donations are also needed and allow the Red Cross to make a difference in the lives of people impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word DORIAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
Up-to-date information about how the Red Cross is responding to Hurricane Dorian is available at redcross.org.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 9-30
_______________
Clay
Clay City
9/20/2019: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Clay City High School, 707 South Walnut
Louisville
9/16/2019: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., North Clay Elementary, Route 45 South
_______________
Coles
Charleston
9/10/2019: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., EIU Student Union, 1720 7th Street
_______________
Crawford
Hutsonville
9/13/2019: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hutsonville High School, 500 West Clover Street
Palestine
9/25/2019: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Palestine High School, 102 North Main Street
Robinson
9/18/2019: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Washington Elementary School, 507 W Condit St
_______________
Cumberland
Neoga
9/21/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Neoga Blood Drive, 643 Chestnut Ave.
_______________
Effingham
Altamont
9/27/2019: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Altamont High School, 7 South Ewing
Effingham
9/11/2019: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
9/12/2019: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
9/13/2019: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
9/14/2019: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
9/16/2019: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Koerner Distributor, 1601 Pike Avenue
9/18/2019: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
9/19/2019: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
9/20/2019: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
9/20/2019: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Mid America Motorworks, #1 Mid America Place
9/21/2019: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
9/25/2019: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
9/26/2019: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
9/27/2019: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
9/28/2019: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
_______________
Fayette
Ramsey
9/12/2019: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion Hall, East 5th Street
Vandalia
9/16/2019: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Vandalia Elementary School, 1017 West Fletcher
9/17/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Vandalia Moose Lodge, 328 South 3rd Street
9/17/2019: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Zimmerman’s Greenhouse, 1386 East 1050 Avenue
_______________
Richland
Olney
9/12/2019: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., VFW, 205 North Walnut
9/29/2019: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., St Joseph Catholic Church-Olney, 220 South Elliott Street
_______________
Shelby
Shelbyville
9/19/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1000 West North 6th
_______________
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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% 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.
###
