American Red Cross plans community blood drives

REGIONAL — Since announcing a national blood and platelet shortage a month ago, thousands of donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to help rebuild the American Red Cross blood and platelet supply. As that generosity continues, the Red Cross is working around-the-clock to ensure patients have access to lifesaving transfusions and must collect 10,000 additional blood and platelet donations — over and above expectations — 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.

The American Red Cross will be in the following communities for blood drives in the coming weeks. The schedule is subject to change.

Oct. 24: Noon to 6 p.m., Living Rock Church, 500 E. Main St., Luverne.

Oct. 25: 1 to 7 p.m., Adrian High School, 415 Kentucky Ave., Adrian.

Oct. 31: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., American Legion, Main Street, Lismore.

Nov. 2: 1 to 7 p.m., American Reformed Church, 1720 N. Burlington Ave., Worthington.

Nov. 7: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pipestone Annex, 1801 Forman Dr., Pipestone.

Nov. 8: Noon to 6 p.m., American Legion, 116 S. Minnesota Ave., Okabena.

Nov. 9: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Westbrook-Walnut Grove High School, 344 Eighth St., Westbrook.

Nov. 9: 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., Mountain Lake Community Center, 1027 Second Ave., Mountain Lake.

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

The Red Cross is reminding donors 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.

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