COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (Sept. 20, 2018) —As the American Red Cross responds to Hurricane Florence, providing food, shelter and comfort to those affected, individuals outside the affected areas are urged to help by giving blood or platelets to care for patients in the storm’s path and across the country. People can also help by making a financial donation to support relief efforts. Hurricane Florence’s wrath left catastrophic damage behind and also took a toll on blood and platelet donations. Nearly 200 Red Cross blood drives in the Southeast were forced to cancel, resulting in more than 5,200 uncollected blood and platelet donations. “Natural disasters like hurricanes can disrupt blood drives and prevent donors from giving, but hospital patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “There is an especially critical need for platelets to help cancer patients and type O blood donations for ongoing patient care and emergencies. Every donation can be a lifeline for patients.”

Donors of all blood types are urged to help restore hope to patients across the country by making an appointment today to give blood or platelets. Appointments can be made by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Financial donations are also needed and allow the Red Cross to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Florence by visiting RedCross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

• American Red Cross Blood Donation Center/ Loess Hills Blood Donation Center (705 N. 16th St.), Council Bluffs.
• Manning, 10/12/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., IKM Manning High School, 209 10th Street
• Anita, 10/9/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 805 Main Street
• Denison, 10/2/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 113 South 14th Street
• Logan, 9/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 108 West 4th Street
• Red Oak: 9/24/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1101 East Summit; 10/2/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Montgomery County Hospital, 2301 Eastern Ave
• Clarinda, 9/20/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Regional Health Center, 220 Essie Davison Drive.
• Shenandoah: 10/6/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Earl May Nursery & Garden Center, 301 S Fremont St; 10/10/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Shenandoah High School, 1000 Mustang Drive
• Council Bluffs: 9/23/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Broadway United Methodist, 11 South 1st Street; 10/1/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Harrah’s Casino, 1 Harrahs Blvd; 10/2/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Road; 10/12/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Abraham Lincoln High School, 1205 Bonham
• Treynor, 9/20/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Community Center, 11 West Main.
• Defiance, 10/2/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Peter’s Hall, 402 5th Street
• Harlan, 9/25/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview
• Westphalia, 9/20/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St.
• Lenox, 10/9/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lenox High School, 600 S. Locust St.