Red Cross: Donations needed to replenish blood supply

Since the American Red Cross announced a national blood and platelet shortage a month ago, thousands of donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to help rebuild the agency’s blood and platelet supply. 

As that generosity continues, the Red Cross says it’s working around the clock to ensure patients have access to lifesaving transfusions. The Red Cross must collect 10,000 additional blood and platelet donations each week over the next month to sufficiently meet hospital needs. Donors of all blood types are urged to book a time to give now, especially those with type O blood or those giving platelets. 

To make an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years old 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 height and weight requirements.

To encourage more blood and platelet donations, the Red Cross is offering new incentives to donors over the next month. All who come to give from Oct. 21 through Nov. 9 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a restaurant merchant of their choice to enjoy lunch on the Red Cross. They’ll also be automatically entered to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three lucky winners — one chosen at random each week. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Lunch. 

As cold and flu season quickly approaches, the Red Cross is reminding donors that they can still give blood or platelets 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. 

Upcoming blood drives are scheduled in the following locations.

WILSON

• Oct. 25 — 2:30-6:30 p.m., Daniels Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, 4828 Frank Price Church Road. 

• Oct. 26 — Noon to 6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Wilson, 311 Nash St. NW.

• Nov. 7 — 2-6 p.m., Farmington Heights Church of God, 910 Raleigh Road NW.

• Nov. 8 — 2-6 p.m., First Christian Church, 207 Tarboro St. NE.

NASHVILLE

• Oct. 23 — 2-6 p.m., Sandy Cross Methodist Church, 3725 Sandy Cross Road.

PINETOPS

• Oct. 25 — Noon to 6 p.m., Pinetops Baptist Church, 710 W. Hamlet St.

ROCKY MOUNT

• Oct. 23 — 2-6 p.m., Christ Covenant Church, 3124 Belmont Lake Drive.

• Oct. 24 — 1:30-5:30 p.m., Englewood Baptist Church, 1350 Winstead Ave.

• Oct. 25 — 2-6 p.m., Cornerstone Independent Baptist Church, 1481 Beechwood Drive.

• Oct. 28 — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thorne’s Chapel Baptist Church, 1624 Windsor Drive.

• Oct. 30 — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Harrison Family YMCA, 1000 Independence Drive.

• Nov. 6 — 1:30-6 p.m., Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Ave.

TARBORO

• Nov. 6 — 2:45-7 p.m., St. James United Methodist Church, 211 E. Saint James St.

• Nov. 9 — 12:30-4:30 p.m., Edgecombe County Administration Building, 201 Saint Andrew St.