CHARLOTTE , NC (September 19, 2016)…The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood and platelets this fall to help restock the shelves following a significant summer shortage to ensure an adequate blood supply for patients in need.
Through the first two weeks of September, the Red Cross is down more than 10,000 donations from what is needed to replenish the blood supply and be prepared for emergencies large and small. Declines in donations can lead to blood shortages and make it difficult to meet patient needs should a disaster or emergency occur.
“September is National Preparedness Month and we urge eligible donors to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “Whether blood is needed for a chronic condition like sickle cell disease, a routine surgery, a traumatic accident or a large-scale disaster, it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives. Red Cross blood and platelet donors play an important role in helping communities be prepared for all kinds of emergencies.”
Donors of all blood types are needed as blood products continue to be distributed to hospitals almost as quickly as donations come in. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to help reduce wait times.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities, Sept. 20 through Oct. 15:
American Red Cross Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 W. Kincey Ave. Suite 110
Monday, 2:30 to 7 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
American Red Cross Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road
Monday and Tuesday, 2 to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursday, 2 to 7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
NORTH CAROLINA
Alexander County
Taylorsville
10/9/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Friendship Lutheran Church, 5300 Church Road
Burke County
Hildebran
9/28/2016: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Geiger, 218 Cline Park Drive
Morganton
9/30/2016: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., US Post Office Morganton, 320 Sanford Drive
10/14/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Salem United Methodist Church, 1206 Salem Road
Caldwell County
Granite Falls
9/20/2016: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Mountain Grove Baptist, 2485 Connelly Springs Road
10/13/2016: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Concord Baptist Church, 74 Falls Ave.
Hudson
9/30/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute, 2855 Hickory Blvd.
10/10/2016: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Fellowship Baptist Church, 2682 Fairwood Dr, PO Box 306
Lenoir
10/6/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Hancock Surgery Center, 1031 Morganton Blvd SW
10/12/2016: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., William Lenoir Middle School, 1366 Wildcat Trail
Catawba County
Catawba
9/27/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Catawba United Methodist Church, 209 E Central Ave.
9/29/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Shiloh United Methodist Church, 1648 Shiloh Road
Conover
9/28/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 217 Second Ave NE
10/4/2016: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Woodlawn Baptist Church, 440 7th St Pl SW
Hickory
9/22/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 237 2nd Street NW
9/28/2016: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Catawba Valley Community College, 2550 Highway 70 SE
9/28/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Methodist Church, 311 3rd Avenue NE
9/29/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 547 6th Street NW
10/3/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 2120 Startown Road
10/4/2016: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Corinth Reformed Church, 150 16th Avenue NW
10/6/2016: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Viewmont Baptist Church, 1246 2nd Street NE
10/14/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. Stephens High School, 3205 34th Street Dr NE
Newton
10/13/2016: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Agricultural Resource Center, 1175 South Brady Ave.
10/14/2016: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Balls Creek Elementary, 2620 Balls Creek Road