Newsroom@DominionPost.com
The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Donors of all blood types — especially type O — are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products.
Right now, the Red Cross is working around the clock to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care.
In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations and resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout. The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday break — patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions.
Donors are needed now to prevent further delays to patient care. Schedule an appointment to give blood now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
As a thank-you, all those who come to give through Tuesday will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat, while supplies last. And, donors who come to give Wednesday-July 31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value).
In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Morgantown
- Tuesday — noon-5 p.m., Health Science Center South Tower, 1 Medical Center Drive
- Friday — noon-5 p.m., Holiday Inn-University Area, 1188 Pineview Drive
- July 13 — 1-6 p.m., StoneBridge Baptist Church, 6510 Mall Road
- July 15 — 1-6 p.m., Westside Senior Center, 500 DuPont Road
Terra Alta
- Friday — 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Terra Alta Ambulance Building, 1124 E. State Ave.
Bridgeport
- Wednesday — 1-6 p.m., Benedum Center, 164 West Main St.
- Thursday — 1-6 p.m., West Virginia Junior College, 176 Thompson Drive
- July 15 — 1-6 p.m., Meadowbrook Mall Bridgeport, 2399 Meadowbrook Mall Road
Fairmont
- July 14 — 1-6:30 p.m., Central United Methodist Church, 301 Fairmont Ave.
About blood donation
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass. With RapidPass, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
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