ST. LOUIS — As many prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and look ahead at a busy holiday season, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors across the country to harness their humanity by giving blood or platelets in the coming weeks.
As a result of low blood donor turnout in recent months, the Red Cross is heading into the holidays with its lowest blood supply in more than a decade at this time of year. The ongoing effects of COVID-19 and a summer spike in delta variant cases significantly challenged the nation’s blood supply heading into the fall. The pandemic also resulted in fewer blood drives at schools and colleges, contributing to a 34 percent drop in new blood donors from last year − one of the largest year-to-year decreases and one that could threaten essential medical care for patients. Locally, the Missouri-Arkansas Red Cross Region has experienced a 13.4 percent decrease in new blood donors this year.
Don’t wait. Humanity needs you to help patients enjoy all the holiday season has to offer. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a thank-you, all those who come to give Nov. 29-Dec. 16 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a private screening for the winner and 50 of their guests of the epic new film The Matrix Resurrections. Plus, those who come to give Nov. 29-Dec. 16 will also get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon.*
Those who share the warmth and make a blood or platelet donation part of their Thanksgiving plans Nov. 24-28 will receive an exclusive pair of Red Cross holiday socks, while supplies last.
Upcoming River Region blood donation opportunities Nov. 29-Dec. 16.
Farrar
11/29/2021: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Salem Church in Farrar, 287 PCR 328
Steeleville
11/30/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion Hall, 305 South Chester
Sparta
11/30/2021: 1:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., VFW Post 2698, 1911 North Market Street
Evansville
12/1/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Christ Our Savior Lutheran High School, 810 Soldiers Way
Perryville
12/3/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Bank of Missouri, 916 North Kingshighway
Red Bud
12/13/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Red Bud High School, 815 Locust Street
Sparta
12/14/2021: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Spartan Light Metal, 510 East McClurken
Baldwin
12/15/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., K-River Community Center, 310 W. Elm Street
Chester
12/15/2021: 12:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Legion Hall, 500 East Opdyke
Sainte Genevieve
12/16/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Ste Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, 800 Ste Genevieve Dr
Perryville
12/16/2021: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Robinson Construction Company, 2411 Walters Lane