American Red Cross blood drives coming to area

MINNEAPOLIS — The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas.

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care.

The following blood drives are scheduled in this area:

Sept. 18: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., St. Leo’s Catholic Church, 415 S. Hiawatha, Pipestone

Sept. 19: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., First Reformed Church, 230 Maple St., Edgerton; 1 to 7 p.m., Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 614 Logan Ave., Jackson

Sept. 26: Noon to 6 p.m., YMCA, 1501 College Way, Worthington; 1 to 7 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran, 620 Bush St., Lakefield

Sept. 27: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Minnesota West Community and Technical College, 1450 College Way

Oct. 3: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lake Sarah Baptist Church, 1613 191st St., Slayton

Oct. 11: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Evangelical Lutheran Church, 101 Spicer St., Jasper; 1 to 6 p.m., Community Center, 1750 Cottonwood Lake Dr., Windom

Oct. 12: 1 to 7 p.m., Worthington Christian Church, 1501 N. Douglas Ave., Worthington

The Red Cross needs blood and platelet 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).