Severe blood shortage: Red Cross issues immediate call for blood and platelet donations

Blood drive hosts also needed this winter to stop prolonged shortage

BEND, Ore. (Nov. 13, 2018) — The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and urgently needs blood and platelet donors to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients. Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter.  

During September and October, the Red Cross collected over 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than what hospitals needed. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Fewer blood drives in September and October coupled with hurricanes Michael and Florence, which caused thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected, were key contributing factors to the current blood shortage.

“This time of year, as many give thanks for family, friends and good health, it’s important to remember that patients across the country cannot survive without your generosity,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “From traumas to ongoing cancer treatments, the need for blood doesn’t stop for the holidays. People can give back – and help those in need – by making a lifesaving blood or platelet donation now and hosting a blood drive in the weeks to come.”

An additional 4,300 blood drives nationally – and approximately 275 blood drives in this area – are needed in December, January and February to help stop the shortage from continuing throughout winter. Donations often decline during the winter holidays when many groups postpone blood drives while regular donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. Severe winter weather may also cause blood drive cancellations contributing to fewer donations than needed.

To encourage donations around the Thanksgiving holiday, those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross Nov. 21-24 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

How to help

Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass, are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.

Those interested in hosting a blood drive can learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive this winter, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

Who blood donations help

Kylee Durham, 11, had a rare type of vascular tumor in her right jaw bone. When the tumor ruptured in August, the hemorrhage caused Kylee to lose so much blood that she needed two units of blood before an emergency embolization surgery to stop the bleeding. She required additional transfusions during surgery and received a total of eight units of blood, or about the total blood volume of an average adult, over a 12-hour period.

The surgery was successful, and Kylee had a partial resection of her jaw a couple of days after the embolization to remove the tumor. Now a few months post-surgery, Kylee is back at home, enjoying middle school and spending time doing the things she loves. Her mother, Brittany Durham, is grateful for the donors who helped save Kylee’s life.

“If it weren’t for blood donors, my daughter would not be alive. She nearly lost all of her blood. Blood donors saved her life,” said Durham. “My dad has been a blood donor for years, and my whole family now are blood donors in honor of Kylee. I encourage people on a daily basis to go out and donate blood.” 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 13-Dec. 15:

Crook

Prineville

11/16/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Baptist Church, 450 SE Fairview Dr

12/5/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., St Joseph Catholic Church, 150 SE 1st Street

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Deschutes

Bend

11/13/2018: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/14/2018: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/15/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., State & County Offices, 1300 NW Wall Street

11/16/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/17/2018: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/19/2018: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/20/2018: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/21/2018: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/23/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/26/2018: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/27/2018: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/28/2018: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/29/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., St Charles Medical Center, 2500 NE Neff Road

11/30/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

11/30/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Western Communications, 1777 SW Chandler Ave

12/3/2018: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

12/4/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

12/5/2018: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

12/7/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

12/10/2018: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

12/11/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Hampton Inn, 730 SW Columbia St

12/11/2018: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

12/12/2018: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

12/14/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

12/14/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Wild Horse Harley Davidson, 63028 Sherman Road

12/14/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Growler Guys, 2699 NE Highway 20

Eagle Crest

11/23/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Eagle Crest Resort Redmond, 1730 Blue Heron Drive, River Run Events Center

La Pine

11/30/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 52315 Huntington Road

Redmond

11/20/2018: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., LDS – Redmond OR Stake, 450 SW Rimrock

11/21/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., St Thomas Catholic Church, 1720 NW 19th St

11/26/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Grange 812, 707 SW Kalama

12/4/2018: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., LDS – Redmond OR Stake, 450 SW Rimrock

12/10/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Grange 812, 707 SW Kalama

Sisters

12/7/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Sisters Community Hall, 301 SE Elm St

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Grant

John Day

11/14/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Grant Union High School, 911 S. Canyon Blvd.

11/15/2018: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Malheur National Forest, 431 Patterson Bridge Road

Prairie City

11/13/2018: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Prairie City School, 740 Overholdt St

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Harney

Burns

11/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Holy Family Parish Hall, 620 N Egan

11/28/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Holy Family Parish Hall, 620 N Egan

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Jefferson

Madras

11/21/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 49 NE 12th St.

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Malheur

Nyssa

12/8/2018: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Nyssa Elementary School, 809 Bower Ave

Ontario

11/30/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Treasure Valley Community College Tech Lab Building, 650 College Blvd.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.