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Am. Red Cross puts out urgent call for blood

News

July 9th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The American Red Cross today (Tuesday) issued an emergency request for platelet and blood donors of all blood types, due to that fact they received fewer donations than expected in June and the first week of July. Tricia Quinn, CEO for the Red Cross Midwest Blood Services Region said “We are counting on generous volunteer blood and platelet donors to step up and give now. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Each day donations come up short, less blood is available for these patients in need.”

Nationwide, donations through the Red Cross were down approximately 10 percent in June, resulting in about 50,000 fewer donations than expected. The shortfall is similar to what the Red Cross experienced in June 2012. 

The Red Cross urgently needs donations to ensure an adequate blood supply is available for patients all summer long.  Each day, the Midwest Blood Services Region must collect approximately 500 blood donations to meet patient needs. Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially encouraged to give. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.

There is also an urgent need for platelet donations. Platelets – a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients – must be transfused within five days of donation, so it’s important to have a steady supply of platelets on hand. To donate blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Audubon County

July 15 from 12-6 p.m. at Exira Recreational Center, 106 N. Jefferson in Exira, Iowa

Carroll County

July 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 302 Main St. in Dedham, Iowa

Cass County

July 18 from 12-6 p.m. at Atlantic Catholic Parish Center, 105 W. Fifth St. in Atlantic, Iowa

Fremont County

July 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nishnabotna Middle School, 105 E St. in Hamburg, Iowa

Harrison County

July 16 from 12-6 p.m. at Community Center, 108 W. Fourth St. in Logan, Iowa

Montgomery County

July 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at YMCA, 101 E. Cherry St. in Red Oak, Iowa

Page County

July 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Clarinda Regional Health Center, 220 Essie Davison Drive in Clarinda, Iowa

Pottawattamie County

July 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs, Iowa

July 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at United Church of Christ, 106 Lincoln St. in Minden, Iowa

July 15 from 12:30 to 6:15 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs, Iowa

July 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs, Iowa

July 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Broadway United Methodist, 11 S. First St. in Council Bluffs, Iowa

July 22 from 12:30-6:15 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs, Iowa

July 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs, Iowa

Ringgold County

July 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at First Christian Church, 201 W. Monroe in Mount Ayr, Iowa

Shelby County

July 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview in Harlan, Iowa

July 10 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Harlan Primary Elementary School, 2105 Durant St. in Harlan, Iowa

July 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Elk Horn Lutheran Church, 4313 Main St. in Elk Horn, Iowa

July 17 from 12-6 p.m. at St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St. in Westphalia, Iowa

Taylor County

July 23 from 12-6 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 106 W. Ohio in Lenox, Iowa