The American Red Cross is now facing an emergency blood shortage following a difficult Fourth of July week for blood donations, with hundreds fewer blood drives than a typical week and a resulting decline in donations. Right now, blood is being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. All eligible donors are urgently needed to give now to help replenish the blood supply – especially type O – Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations. Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

More than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups last week than during a typical week as individuals across the country celebrated the holiday and enjoyed summer activities. This could equate to as many as 15,000 fewer donations than needed, causing donations to now be distributed to hospitals faster than they come in. Facing a decline of about 80,000 new Red Cross blood donors each year for the past several years, the Red Cross launched the Missing Types campaign in June to encourage new donors, and those who have not given recently, to donate blood. While the campaign has already inspired thousands of new donors to give, the Red Cross is now calling on all eligible blood and platelet donors to roll up a sleeve as soon as possible to overcome the emergency blood shortage. Through the Missing Types campaign, which runs throughout the summer, the letters A, B and O – letters used to identify blood types – disappeared from corporate logos, celebrity social media accounts and favorite websites to illustrate the critical role every blood donor plays in ensuring blood is never missing from hospital shelves.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross has added about 6,500 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.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 9-31st:

American Red Cross Blood Donation Center – Loess Hills Blood Donation Center, 705 N. 16th St. Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Adair County –  Orient, 7/10/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Methodist Church, 124 South Maple Street

Audubon County –  Exira, 7/23/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Exira Recreational Center, 106 N Jefferson

Carroll County – Dedham, 7/11/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, 302 Main Street; Manning – 7/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 203 Sue Street.

Cass County – Atlantic, 7/19/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Atlantic YMCA, 1100 Maple Street; Griswold – 7/19/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Central Church of Christ, 51 Harrison

Harrison County –  Logan, 7/31/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 108 West 4th Street; Missouri Valley – 7/19/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Rand Community/Senior Center, 100 S. 4th St.

Mills County – Glenwood, 7/13/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Glenwood High School, 504 East Sharp Street

Montgomery County – Red Oak, 7/16/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1101 East Summit; Villisca – 7/18/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 201 S. 3rd Ave

Page County –  Clarinda, 7/18/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Regional Health Center, 220 Essie Davison Drive, & 7/27/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Clarinda Academy, 1820 North 16th Street.

Pottawattamie County –  Avoca, 7/14/2018: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., American Legion, 309 1/2 Elm; Council Bluffs – 7/13/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Community Hall, 205 S. Main St., 7/14/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mid-America Center, One Arena Way, 7/15/2018: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Broadway United Methodist, 11 South 1st Street, 7/15/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Mid-America Center, One Arena Way, 7/28/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Council Bluffs, 7 S 4th St.; Crescent – 7/14/2018: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Fire Station, 102 West Florence

Ringgold County –  Mount Ayr, 7/10/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Christian Church, 201 W Monroe

Shelby County –  Earling, 7/30/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hall, 118 Main Street; Elk Horn – 7/10/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Elk Horn Lutheran Church, 4313 Main Street; Harlan – 7/19/2018: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Conductix, 1417 Industrial Parkway, & 7/24/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview; Westphalia –  7/18/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St..

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.

Union County – Afton, 7/17/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., East Union High School, 1916 High School Drive; Creston – 7/11/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Creston High School, 601 W. Townline.