COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (July 25, 2018) — Thousands of people have responded to the emergency call for blood and platelet donations issued by the American Red Cross in early July. Still, there continues to be an emergency need for donors of all blood types, especially type O, to give now to address a severe blood shortage. Red Cross blood donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in, and right now there is less than a five-day blood supply on hand. The Red Cross strives to keep a five-day supply of blood to meet the needs of patients and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood products. There is a particular need for type O blood, which plays an important role in ongoing patient care and emergencies. Type O positive is the most transfused blood type and can be given to patients with any Rh-positive blood type. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be given to any patient. It’s what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations.

In thanks, all those who come to donate blood or platelets July 30 through Aug. 30, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.) Donors of all blood types are urged to make an appointment to give now using the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 25-Aug. 15

American Red Cross Blood Donation Center: Loess Hills Blood Donation Center, 705 N. 16^th St. Council Bluffs.

Adair County: Greenfield, 8/15/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Methodist Church, 108 SW 5th Street

Audubon County: 8/8/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Patrick’s Parish Center, 2050 Hwy 71 N

Carroll County: Arcadia, 8/7/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, 210 Head Street; Manning, 7/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 203 Sue Street

Cass County: Atlantic, 8/15/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Atlantic High School, 1201 East 14th Street.

Crawford County: Denison, 8/7/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 113 South 14th Street; Manilla, 8/9/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 537 3rd Avenue

Harrison County: Logan, 7/31/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 108 West 4th Street

Mills County: Glenwood, 8/13/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 2nd St.

Montgomery County: Red Oak, 8/6/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Montgomery County Hospital, 2301 Eastern Ave; 8/8/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Red Oak YMCA, 101 E Cherry St

Page County:  Clarinda, 7/27/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Clarinda Academy, 1820 North 16th Street; 8/10/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church, 322 N 16th

Pottawattamie County: Carson, 8/6/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Carson Community Center, 316 South Commerical St; Council Bluffs – 7/28/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.,  7 S 4th St; 8/3/2018: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m., Mid-America Center, One Arena Way; 8/3/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mid-America Center, One Arena Way; 8/12/2018: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Queen of Apostles Campus, 3304 3rd Avenue; 8/12/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Community of Christ, 140 Kanesville Blvd; Shelby, 8/11/2018: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Shelby Community Building, 500 East Street

Shelby County: Earling, 7/30/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hall, 118 Main Street; Harlan, 8/7/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., CDS, 3107 Shelby Street

Taylor County: Bedford, 7/27/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Legion Hall, 301 Main St; Lenox, 7/31/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 210 E. Dallas St