For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis, and patients may already be feeling the impact.
Donors are asked to act immediately to help save lives.
Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this season’s emergency blood shortage. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood, as the Red Cross is now limiting distributions of these blood products to hospitals. The supply of type O positive blood has now dropped below a one-day supply.
Help end this crisis and stabilize the blood supply. Book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all who come to give by July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees).
Additionally, those who come to give Aug. 1-31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email.
Despite thousands of people who have stepped up to help end the emergency blood shortage since it was declared earlier this month, donations are still not keeping pace with hospital demand, and the situation has escalated. Extreme heat, poor air quality and widespread foodborne illnesses continue to contribute to lower donor turnout this summer.
“This summer has brought a number of unique challenges that have placed additional strain on our blood supply, creating growing concerns for hospitals and the patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services for the Red Cross. “If just three more donors gave at each blood drive this summer, we could help the blood supply rebound and ensure hospitals have the blood products they need throughout the remainder of the season.”
Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 27-Aug. 15:
Bannock CountyChubbuck
— July 30: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101
— July 31: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101
— Aug. 3: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101
— Aug. 4: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101
— Aug. 5: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101
— Aug. 7: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101
— Aug. 10: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101
— Aug. 12: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101
— Aug. 14: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 4233 Yellowstone Ave., Suite 101
Lava Hot Springs
— July 30: 1 to 6 p.m., LDS Church, 437 W. Spring St.
Pocatello
— Aug. 12: 1 to 6 p.m., Kinghorn Building, 1700 Kinghorn Road
— Aug. 13: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, 444 Hospital Way, Suite 300
— Aug. 13: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Butte Street Building, 2300 Butte St.
Bingham CountyBlackfoot
— July 31: Noon to 5 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Wapello, 337 N. 200 E.
— Aug. 5: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bingham Memorial Hospital Medical Office Building, 98 Poplar St.
— Aug. 14: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., LDS Rose Building, 403 N. 150 W.
Bonneville CountyAmmon
— July 30: Noon to 6 p.m., Ammon North Stake Building, 4363 E. 17th St.
Idaho Falls
— July 29: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., EIRMC Medical Office Building, 2860 Channing Way
— July 29: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Country Inn and Suites, 2500 Channing Way
— July 31: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 1165 E. 17th St.
— Aug. 3: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 1165 E. 17th St.
— Aug. 4: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Idaho Falls City Building, 680 Park Ave.
— Aug. 5: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 1165 E. 17th St.
— Aug. 6: Noon to 6 p.m., Coronado Stake, 2055 Coronado Ave.
— Aug. 7: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 1165 E. 17th St.
— Aug. 7: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Village Park Building, 1345 Clarance Drive
— Aug. 10: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 1165 E. 17th St.
— Aug. 12: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 1165 E. 17th St.
— Aug. 12: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern Idaho Public Health, 1250 Hollipark Drive
— Aug. 14: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 1165 E. 17th St.
Caribou CountySoda Springs
— Aug. 6: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Soda Springs LDS Stake Center, 290 S. 3rd W.
Jefferson CountyRigby
— July 29: Noon to 6 p.m., Rigby Idaho East Stake Center, 4021 E. 300 N.
Madison CountyRexburg
— July 30: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., LDS Lyman Building, 1952 W. 6000 S.
— Aug. 13: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Madison Memorial Hospital, 450 E. Main St.
Teton CountyDriggs
— Aug. 11: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Driggs Idaho LDS Stake, 221 N. 1st E.
For more information, visit redcross.org.