Hospital blood demand remains high as nation heads into holiday week
Vermont Business Magazine 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 and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.
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 July 1-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat, while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). (Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel).
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 June 28-July 15
Addison
Bristol
6/29/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion Bristol Post 19, 56 Airport Drive
Middlebury
6/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Counseling Services of Addison Co., 109 Catamount Park
7/10/2021: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Middlebury Parks & Recreation, 154 Creek Road
7/6/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Legion Middlebury, 49 Wilson Rd.
Bennington
Bennington
6/30/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Moose Lodge of Bennington, 916 Main Street
Manchester Center
6/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Fraternal Order of Eagles, 2282 Depot Street
Manchester Village, VT
7/7/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, 3567 Main Street
Chittenden
Essex Junction
7/1/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl Street
Hinesburg
7/8/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Church of Hinesburg, 10580 Route 116
Jericho
7/6/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Catalyst Church on Raceway, 100 Raceway Road
Shelburne
7/6/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., St. Catherine of Siena, 72 Church St.
South Burlington
7/3/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., University Mall, 155 Dorset Street
Williston
7/15/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Berlin City Kia, 586 Marshall Ave
Franklin
Fairfax
7/8/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Fairfax Fire & Rescue, 15 Goodall Street
Franklin
7/14/2021: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Franklin Town Hall, 5167 Main St.
Saint Albans
6/30/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., St. Albans City Hall, 100 N. Main St.
Lamoille
Morrisville
7/2/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., VFW, 28 Pleasant Street
Stowe
7/8/2021: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Stowe Community Church, 137 Main St.
Orange
Randolph
7/2/2021: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 43 Hebard Hill Rd.
Orleans
Irasburg
6/30/2021: 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Town Hall, 161 Route 58 E
Newport
6/29/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Legion, 35 Veterans Ave
Rutland
Killington
7/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Killington Grand Resort Hotel, 228 East Mountain Road
Pittsford
7/14/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., St. Alphonsus Liguori Church, 2918 US-7
Rutland
7/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., US Army Reserve Building, 2143 Post Road
West Rutland
6/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., West Rutland Town Hall, 35 Marble Street
Washington
Barre
7/1/2021: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Barre Auditorium-off cycle, 16 Auditorium Hill
7/12/2021: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Barre Elks Lodge, 10 Jefferson Street
Berlin
7/3/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Berlin Mall, 282 Berlin Mall Road, Space 5
7/9/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Central Vermont Medical Center, 130 Fisher Road
Montpelier
6/28/2021: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Montpelier City Hall, 39 Main Street
7/15/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 64 State St
7/2/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Capitol Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 100 State Street
Windham
Bellows Falls
7/15/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Church of Bellows Falls, 8 School Street
Brattleboro
7/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Fraternal Order of the Eagles, 54 Chickering Drive, Unit 1
7/8/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Brattleboro Fire Department, 103 Elliot Street
Windsor
Brownsville
7/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Holiday Inn, 485 Hotel Drive
Springfield
7/8/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Springfield Elks, 18 Union St
Stockbridge
7/10/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Stockbridge Meeting House, 97 Maple Wood Drive, P.O. Box 4
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.
Health insights for donors
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Blood drive safety
The Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Fully vaccinated individuals, including staff and donors, no longer need to wear masks or socially distance. Unvaccinated individuals continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Source: BURLINGTON, VT (June 28, 2021) — American Red Cross