Critical shortage: Red Cross calls all donors

TULSA, Okla.  While thousands of people from across the country responded to the emergency request for blood and platelet donations issued by the American Red Cross in early July, a critical blood shortage remains. The Red Cross urges eligible donors to give now to help ensure blood is available throughout the rest of the summer to meet patient needs.

At times, blood and platelets are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which impacts the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Right now, the Red Cross has less than a five-day blood supply on hand. The Red Cross strives to have a five-day supply at all times to meet the needs of patients every day and be prepared for emergencies that may require significant volumes of donated blood products. Donation opportunities follow.

“The Red Cross continues to have an emergency need for blood and platelet donors to give now and help save patient lives,” said Jan Hale, communications manager of the Southwest Blood Services Region. “We are grateful for those who have already stepped up this summer to give and want to remind those who are eligible that hospital patients are still counting on them to roll up a sleeve.”

Every two seconds In the U.S., every two seconds someone like Ray Poulin needs blood or platelets. Poulin’s liver and kidneys failed following a serious blood infection. The situation became urgent when his liver hemorrhaged. He was given a 10 percent chance of survival. After receiving 77 units of blood, Poulin defied the odds.

“There was a lot that went into saving my life, but if the blood wasn’t available when I needed it, I wouldn’t be here today,” said Poulin.

Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.

All blood types urgently needed

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to help restock the shelves. The Red Cross is thanking those who come in to donate blood or platelets between July 25 and Aug. 31 by emailing them a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.

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). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce wait times.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 25-Aug. 15

Cherokee County

Tahlequah 8/1/2016: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Car Mart Tahlequah, 2900 S. Muskogee Ave

Craig County

Vinita 8/9/2016: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 314 West Canadian Avenue

Creek County

Bristow 8/2/2016: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., First Baptist Church, 226 E. 6th Street

Sapulpa 7/28/2016: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. John Medical Center, 1004 East Bryan Avenue

Delaware County

Jay 8/3/2016: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jay Community Center, 429 South 9th

Mayes County

Chouteau 7/26/2016: 2:15 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 28 E. 12th St.

Muskogee County

Muskogee 8/4/2016: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Muskogee Civic Center, 425 Boston Street 8/11/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Muskogee Bedouin Shriners, 201 South 6th Street

Okmulgee County

Henryetta 8/9/2016: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Henryetta High School, 1800 West Troy Aikman 8/15/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Henryetta First Baptist Church, 420 S. Trudgeon

Okmulgee 8/10/2016: 12:45 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion, 6th & Oklahoma

Osage County

Skiatook 8/11/2016: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Skiatook United Methodist Church, 1007 S. Osage Street

Ottawa County

Afton 8/11/2016: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Cleora Baptist Church, 29308 South Hwy 85

Miami 7/27/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., High Winds Casino, 61475 E. 110 Road 8/11/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 200 B St. NW

Pawnee County

Cleveland 8/11/2016: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., First Christian Church, 100 S. Division

Rogers County

Claremore 7/29/2016: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Court House, 200 S. Lynn Riggs Blvd. 8/2/2016: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Claremore Church of the Nazarene, 1336 N. Dorothy Avenue 8/14/2016: 10:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., First Baptist Church, 107 E. Will Rogers

Inola 8/8/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Inola United Methodist Church, 125 S. Broadway

Tulsa County

Broken Arrow 7/26/2016: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Exterran, 20602 East 81st Street 8/10/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St. John Broken Arrow, 1000 W Boise Circle

Collinsville 8/9/2016: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Masonic Lodge 165, 1702 West Broadway

Glenpool 7/28/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Glenpool City Hall, 12205 S. Yukon Ave

Owasso 7/29/2016: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Owasso Library, 103 W. Broadway

Sand Springs 8/1/2016: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., St Andrews Lutheran Church, 3210 South 113th West Avenue

Tulsa Tulsa Blood Donation Center, 10151 East 11th Street Mondays through Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

7/28/2016: 9:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Oklahoma State University Medical Center, 744 W 9th St 7/29/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Battle of the Bands, 7021 S Memorial Drive 7/30/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Yale Avenue Christian Church, 3616 S Yale 7/30/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Woodland Hills Mall, 7021 South Memorial 8/2/2016: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., DoubleTree at Warren Place, 6110 S Yale Ave 8/4/2016: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Park Towers, 5314 S. Yale Ste. 100 8/5/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Woodland Hills Mall, 7021 South Memorial 8/6/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North Tulsa Hutcherson YMCA, 1120 E. Pine St. 8/6/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Woodland Hills Mall, 7021 South Memorial 8/7/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Southern Hills Baptist Church, 5590 S. Lewis Ave 8/9/2016: 9:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Stillwater National Bank, 1500 S. Utica Ave 8/12/2016: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Hillcrest Hospital South, 8801 South 101st East Avenue 8/12/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Woodland Hills Mall, 7021 South Memorial 8/13/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Promenade Mall, 4107 S. Yale Ave. 8/13/2016: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Woodland Hills Mall, 7021 South Memorial 8/14/2016: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2720 S 129th E Ave

Washington County

Bartlesville 7/29/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., America's Car Mart Bartlesville, 3291 SE Washington Blvd. 7/30/2016: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Cricket Wireless, 1362 SE Washington Blvd 7/31/2016: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Church Bartlesville, 4715 Price Road

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.