CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — The American Red Cross is continuing to see an emergency blood shortage following a significant number of blood drive cancellations in January.
More than 530 blood drives were cancelled across the nation last month leading to approximately 15,000 blood and platelet donations going uncollected in in January alone. That’s more cancellations and lost units in one month than was experienced in all of 2023 combined.
In addition, in some areas shipping and flight delays from weather continue to impact deliveries of vital blood products to hospitals and winter weather also impacts donors getting out to donate. The nation is also currently facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years which means things like weather can have a huge effect on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion.
Generous blood donors are vital to ensuring those in need of transfusions have access to lifesaving care. Individuals are urged to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets 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 Feb. 1-29, 2024, will receive a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.
New Blood Donor Rewards program
Since announcing an emergency blood shortage in early January, thousands of donors across the country have answered the call to help. In appreciation for all those who take the time to help save lives, the Red Cross launched an all-new Blood Donor Rewards program. This program offers a new way for the Red Cross to say thank-you for the generous donations that are critical to patients counting on lifesaving care. All donors are now able to earn points for their donations that accumulate each time they roll up a sleeve to give. Donors automatically started earning points on Jan. 1, 2024, and they can redeem points any time of year to receive e-gift cards or save them to redeem and claim an exclusive Red Cross merchandise item in the next calendar year. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Rewards.
Blood drives in the River Region are listed:
Ste. Genevieve
2/8/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Ste Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, 800 Ste Genevieve Dr
Perryville
2/12/2024: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Heartland Baptist Church, 829 West St Joseph 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.