ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood emergency as remnants of Hurricane Debby and other severe weather events across the country have further complicated efforts to rebuild the nation’s blood supply. Those in unaffected areas are urged to make an appointment to give now.
Weather in recent weeks has added to the summer shortfall in donations by forcing the cancellation of nearly 60 blood drives throughout the country, many of which were caused by Debby, causing approximately 1,500 lifesaving blood products to go uncollected. Annually, severe weather − such as blizzards, tornadoes, flooding and hurricanes − impacts about 90,000 blood donations made to the Red Cross. In Missouri, 527 blood drives have been canceled due to weather over the last 10 years, including 37 so far this year. Because blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer blood donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have serious consequences for hospitals and patients.
First-time donors and those who give regularly are critical to blood supply recovery. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). In thanks, all who come to give through Aug. 31 will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Help for details. Those who come to give Sept. 1-15 will receive an exclusive Red Cross raglan T-shirt, while supplies last.
Upcoming River Region blood donation opportunities Sept. 1-15:
Perryville
9/3/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Perry Park Center, 800 City Park Drive
Biehle
9/3/2024: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., St. Maurus Catholic Church, 10198 HWY B
Chester
9/4/2024: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Chester Public Library, 733 State St
Ste Genevieve
9/5/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Elks Lodge, 19603 Molasses Hollow Road
Perryville
9/9/2024: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Perry County Memorial Hospital, 434 North West Street
Red Bud
9/12/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Red Bud Regional Hospital, 325 Spring Street
Chester
9/13/2024: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Chester Memorial Hospital, 1900 State Street