COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (July 5, 2017) — The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now and help save lives. Blood donations have fallen short of expectations for the past two months, resulting in about 61,000 fewer donations than needed and causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply. The shortfall is the equivalent of the Red Cross not collecting any blood donations for more than four days.

Amy Brown, Donor Recruitment district manager, Midwest Blood Services Region, said in a press release, that “It’s crucial that people donate now to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood. Every day, blood and platelet donors can help save lives, and right now these heroes are needed to give as soon as possible.”

New donors and those who haven’t given in a while are especially encouraged to roll up a sleeve and help save lives. 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).

Some upcoming blood donation opportunities July 5-25 (County/Town/date-times-place)

Adair: Orient 7/12/2017: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Methodist Church, 124 South Maple St.

Audubon: Exira 7/17/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Exira Rec Center, 106 N Jefferson

Cass: Atlantic 7/12/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cass County Memorial Hospital; 7/20/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Atlantic YMCA.

Montgomery: Red Oak 7/17/2017: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1101 East Summit; Villisca 7/19/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 201 S. 3rd Ave

Pottawattamie: Avoca 7/15/2017: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., American Legion, 309 1/2 Elm; Council Bluffs (multiple dates, times and places beginning July 10th – see the Red Cross website)

Shelby: Earling 7/24/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hall, 118 Main Street; Elk Horn 7/11/2017: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Elk Horn Lutheran Church, 4313 Main Street; Harlan 7/13/2017: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Conductix, 1417 Industrial Parkway & 7/25/2017: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview; Westphalia 7/19/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St.

The Red Cross has added more than 25,000 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.