Shortage of blood pushes the Red Cross to get more donors
The Red Cross campaign, "100 Days of Summer 100 Days of Hope," is encouraging more blood and platelet donations in the waning days of summer.
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The Red Cross campaign, “100 Days of Summer 100 Days of Hope,” is encouraging more blood and platelet donations in the waning days of summer.
Red Cross officials said summer months put the organization behind in blood donations by 8 percent.
Independence Day falling on a Friday dropped the number of scheduled blood drives by 1,000, and donations from schools that assist in blood drives were reduced by 80 percent because of summer break.
The results have brought 80,000 fewer donations than expected, prompting the need for more donors.
“Hospital patients continue to need lifesaving blood this summer, and they’re relying on the generosity of volunteer donors to give them hope in the days and weeks ahead,” said Sharon Pitt, CEO for the Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region.
Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative are needed. Donations of platelets, a key component for clotting blood, are also needed.
Individuals who donated earlier this summer can donate again.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:
Cumberland County
- Fayetteville, July 30, 2 p.m.- 6 p.m., N.C. State Veterans Nursing Home Fayetteville, 214 Cochran Ave.
Johnston County
- Benson, Aug. 6, 2 p.m.- 6 p.m., American Legion Post 109, 605 North Wall St.
- Selma, Aug. 8, 3 p.m.- 7:30 p.m., Pine Level Baptist Church, 110 S. Peedin Ave.
- Selma, August 9, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Branch Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, 7438 NC Highway 96 North.
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