Donations needed to replenish Red Cross blood supply

(Photo Illustration/MetroCreative)

PARKERSBURG — Thousands of donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to help rebuild the American Red Cross blood supply after a national blood shortage was announced last month.

But demand continues to outpace supplies, the Red Cross said.

“Donors have been stepping up to help rebuild the blood supply since the American Red Cross first announced our national blood shortage last month,” Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the American Red Cross of the Ohio River Valley, said. “Unfortunately, hospital demand continues to outpace donations. We need an additional 10,000 blood donations each week over the next month to meet patient needs.

“As a thanks, everyone who gives blood from Oct. 21 to Nov. 9 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a restaurant of their choice to enjoy lunch on the Red Cross,” she said.

“They’ll also be automatically entered to win a $5,000 gift card,” Kesselring said. “There will be three lucky winners, one chosen at random each week.”

Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Lunch.

To make an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines don’t affect donor eligibility.

As cold and flu season quickly approaches, the Red Cross is reminding donors that they can still give blood after receiving a flu vaccine, so long as they are feeling healthy and well on the day of their donation. Likewise, there is no deferral or wait time for those receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 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 and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.