A shortage of blood donors impacting American Red Cross

Despite repeated attempts to lure more donors over the past several months, the American Red Cross reports it had even fewer people donate — making the national blood supply dangerously low and reducing distributions of some blood types to hospitals. The shortfall for August alone was 30,000 donations.

“Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas,” the Red Cross reports.

With such an urgent need, the Red Cross continues to look for ways to entice donors. For this entire month, donors will receive a coupon for a free Sport Clips Haircut and be entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience.

Those who are willing to give might also want to consider the rest of the Red Cross’ mission and become a volunteer.

“The Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters,” it says.

To get more information on times and locations, to sign up to donate or to look for other donor sites, please visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Those who are eligible can no longer ignore the need. Approximately 30,000 people did that last month, and now the situation is beyond critical.

Roll up your sleeves and get to it.

Here are some upcoming drives in our area. To get more information on times and locations, to sign up to donate or to look for other donor sites, please visit www.redcrossblood.org.

— Saturday, Sept. 23, Connecting Point Chapel, 12275 Beloit Snodes Road, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

— Wednesday, Sept. 27, Das Dutch Village Inn, Columbiana, 1-6 p.m.

— Wednesday, Sept. 27, Waypoint 1480, 4173 Westford Place, Canfield, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

— Wednesday, Sept. 27, Western Reserve High School, 13850 Akron-Canfield Road, Berlin Center, 8 a.m.-1p.m.

— Monday, Oct. 2, Elks Lodge 305, 824 E. State St., Salem, 1-6 p.m.

— Tuesday, Oct. 3, Peter Metrovich Community Center, 15442 Pugh Road, East Liverpool, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

— Tuesday, Oct. 10, South Range Elementary School, 11300 Columbiana-Canfield Road, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

— Thursday, Oct. 12, Heartland Christian School, 28 Pittsburgh Road, Columbiana, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

— Friday, Oct. 13, Salem Community Center, 1098 N. Ellsworth Ave., Salem, noon-5 p.m.

— Tuesday, Oct. 24, Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, Canfield, 1-6 p.m.

— Monday, Nov. 6, Elks Lodge 305, 824 E. State St., Salem, 1-6 p.m.

— Tuesday, Nov. 14, Beaver Local High School, 46090 Bell School Road, Lisbon, 7:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

— Tuesday, Nov. 14, Damascus United Methodist Church, 300 Valley Road, Damascus, 1-4 p.m.

— Wednesday, Nov. 15, Salem Regional Medical Center, 1995 E. State St., Salem, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

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