Red Cross warns of blood shortage; list upcoming Livingston County blood collections

ROCHESTER — The American Red Cross has seen a shortfall of about 25,000 blood donations in the first two months of the summer, which makes it hard to keep hospital shelves stocked with lifesaving blood products. By making an appointment to give blood or platelets in August, donors can keep the national blood supply from falling to shortage levels.

The Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive, type B negative and type A negative blood donors, as well as platelet donors.

For those who don’t know their blood type, making a donation is an easy way to find out this personal health information. The Red Cross will notify new donors of their blood type soon after they give.

The Red Cross needs donors now. Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

All who come to give throughout the month of August will get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Movie.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Livingston County include:

n Aug. 15: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Livonia Central School, 2 Bulldog Blvd., Livonia.

n Aug. 15: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Avon Inn, 55 East Main St., Avon.

n Aug. 17: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. York Town Hall, 2668 Main St., York.

n Aug. 17: 1 to 6 p.m. Sparta Center United Methodist Church, 8455 Sparta Center Rd., Dansville.

n Aug. 22: Noon to 5:30 p.m. Avon Veterns Hall, 5480 Avon-East Avon Rd., Avon.

n Aug. 23: 12:30 to 5 p.m. Dansville Foursquare Church, 49 West Ave., Dansville.

n Sept. 1: Noon to 5 p.m. Lima Volunteer Ambulance, 7024 West Main Rd., Lima.

n Sept. 5: 1 to 6 p.m. Dansville Moose Lodge, 6 Main St., Dansville.