Blood Donations Urgently Needed; American Red Cross Reports Worst Blood Shortage Since 2015
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage, the worst in six years. A sharp drop in blood donor turnout has contributed to the lowest post-summer blood inventory level since 2015. In some areas, the blood inventory is less than a day's supply. Officials say they must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month for the blood supply to recover and meet hospital and patient needs. Donors of all blood types are needed, but especially those with type O blood. The blood shortage is now so severe that the Red Cross is giving away prizes to those who donate. Those who give blood soon could get a limited-edition, football-inspired Red Cross T-shirt, free haircut coupons from Sport Clips and a coupon for a free Zaxby’s® chicken Sandwich or other freebies. More information is available at RedCrossBlood.org.
To Make an appointment to give blood or platelets, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.orgor call (800) RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities September 27 through October 15, 2021
Chase County
Cottonwood Falls
9/28/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Chase County High School, 600 Main
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Douglas County
Lawrence
10/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., First Southern Baptist Church, 4300 W 6th St
10/7/2021: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2104 Bob Billings Parkway
10/8/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2104 Bob Billings Parkway
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Shawnee County
Topeka
10/9/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2401 SW Kingsrow
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Franklin County
Ottawa
9/29/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Celebration Hall, 1737 S. Elm
10/8/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Gangwish Libary, 1001 S. Cedar St.
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Geary County
Fort Riley
9/27/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Army Wellness Center, 7285 Normandy Drive
Junction City
9/29/2021: 8:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Geary Community Hospital, 1102 St Marys Rd.
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Lyon County
Emporia
10/11/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Emporia Presbyterian Church West Campus, 1702 W. 15th
10/12/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Emporia Presbyterian Church West Campus, 1702 W. 15th
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Pottawatomie County
Wamego
10/7/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 600 Lincoln Ave
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Riley County
Manhattan
9/27/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Kansas State University Union, Union
9/28/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Kansas State University Union, Union
9/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pottorf Hall, Pottorf Hall - Cico Park
9/28/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Kansas State University, Kramer Dining Center - 1835 Claflin Rd
9/29/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Kansas State University Union, Union
9/29/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Kansas State University, Kramer Dining Center - 1835 Claflin Rd
9/30/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pottorf Hall, Pottorf Hall - Cico Park
9/30/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Kansas State University Union, Union
9/30/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Kansas State University, Kramer Dining Center - 1835 Claflin Rd
10/12/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Holiday Inn Manhattan At The Campus, 1641 Anderson Ave
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Reno County
Hutchinson
10/11/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Central Christian School, 1910 East 30th Ave
10/12/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 6 p.m., Center Amish Mennonite Church, 7611 W Morgan Ave
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Coffey County
Lebo
10/3/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lebo Community Building, 320 N. Ogden St.
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Save Time During Donation
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.
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