(WLIO) — The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to help address a severe blood shortage this winter, as seasonal challenges continue to strain the nation’s blood supply.
Winter months traditionally bring a decline in donations due to holidays, seasonal illnesses and weather conditions that make it difficult for donors to attend blood drives. This winter, the American Red Cross reports blood supplies have dropped by 35%.
Eligible donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment at www.RedCrossBlood.org.
“There’s no time to wait — book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting the website, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).”
Extreme winter weather has further disrupted vital donations. About 400 blood drives were impacted by severe weather in December alone, more than three times the number affected during the same period last year. As a result, thousands of blood donations went uncollected.
With intense winter weather and freezing temperatures expected across much of the country in the coming weeks, additional blood drives could be delayed or canceled at a critical time. Officials say every unit of blood could make a difference for doctors facing difficult decisions about which patients receive blood transfusions and which may have to wait.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 26–Feb. 3:
Allen County
Lima
Jan. 27, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., American Red Cross Allen County Chapter – Lima, 610 S. Collett St.
Jan. 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ohio State University Lima Perry Webb Student Life Building, 4240 Campus Drive, Building 3000
Jan. 31, 8 a.m. to noon, American Red Cross Allen County Chapter – Lima, 610 S. Collett St.
Feb. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., American Red Cross Allen County Chapter – Lima, 610 S. Collett St.
Auglaize County
Minster
Feb. 2, noon to 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 40 N. Main St.
Defiance County
Defiance
Jan. 29, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 400 Wayne Ave.
Hicksville
Jan. 28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hicksville High School, 958 E. High St.
Mercer County
Celina
Feb. 3, noon to 6 p.m., Spiritual Center–Montezuma Retreat House, 6731 State Route 219
Maria Stein
Jan. 26, noon to 6 p.m., American Legion, 8140 State Route 119
Rockford
Jan. 30, noon to 5 p.m., Rockford United Methodist Church, 202 S. Franklin St.
Williams County
Stryker
Jan. 30, noon to 4 p.m., First Lutheran Church – Stryker, 701 S. Defiance St.
