OMAHA, Neb. (July 5, 2016) — The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelets, urging all eligible donors to give now to replenish an extremely low summer blood supply.

Blood donations have fallen short of hospital needs for the past few months, resulting in about 39,000 fewer donations than what’s needed, as well as a significant draw down of the overall Red Cross blood supply. In addition, the Independence Day holiday may have caused many regular donors to postpone donations due to vacation plans. A recent Red Cross poll revealed that more than 75 percent of donors surveyed indicated vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after July 4.

“Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which is why we are making this emergency request for donations,” said Anna Sanderson, Donor Recruitment Director of the Midwest Blood Services Region. “Donations are urgently needed now to meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks. If you’ve thought about giving blood and helping to save lives, now is the time to do it. It’s the blood donations on the shelves that help save lives when an emergency occurs.”

How to Help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites to allow for more donors to make an appointment to give. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to avoid longer wait times. Donors with all blood types are needed.

Those unable to give can still help by encouraging others to give through a SleevesUp virtual blood drive at redcrossblood.org/sleevesup, giving of their time through volunteerism or making a financial donation to support Red Cross humanitarian work across the country and around the world.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Adair County:

Orient: 7/6/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Methodist Church, 124 South Maple Street

Audubon County:

Exira: 7/18/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Exira Recreational Center, 106 N Jefferson

Carroll County:

Dedham: 7/6/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, 302 Main Street

Cass County:

Atlantic: 7/13/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cass County Memorial Hospital, 1501 E. 10th Street; 7/21/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Atlantic Catholic Parish Center, 105 West 5th Street

Montgomery County:

Red Oak: 7/25/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Faith Community Church, 2701 North 8th Street

Villisca: 7/20/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 201 S. 3rd Ave

Page County:

Clarinda: 7/8/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 322 N 16th; 7/20/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Regional Health Center, 220 Essie Davison Drive.

Shenandoah: 7/15/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Shenandoah K-8 School, 601 Dr. Creighton Circle.

Pottawattamie County:

Avoca: 7/16/2016: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., American Legion, 309 1/2 Elm

Council Bluffs: 7/5/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 7/9/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Mid-America Center, One Arena Way; 7/11/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 7/11/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, 239 Frank St.; 7/12/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 7/16/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Home Depot, 3101 Manawa Center Drive; 7/17/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., East Side Christian Church, 331 West Bennett Ave.; 7/18/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 7/19/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 7/20/2016: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., H&H Buick GMC, 3400 South Expressway Street; 7/25/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street

Minden: 7/9/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., United Church of Christ, 106 Lincoln Street, PO Box 218

Neola: 7/5/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Neola Community Center, 110 4th St

Ringgold County:

Mount Ayr: 7/12/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Christian Church, 201 W Monroe

Sac County:

Wall Lake: 7/8/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wall Lake Community Center, 202 West 2nd Street

Shelby County:

Earling: 7/25/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hall, 118 Main Street

Elk Horn: 7/12/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Elk Horn Lutheran Church, 4313 Main Street

Harlan: 7/6/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview

Westphalia: 7/13/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St.

Union County:

Afton: 7/19/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., East Union High School, 1916 High School Drive

Creston: 7/13/2016: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Creston High School, 601 W. Townline