Red Cross calls for donations in wake of 'critical blood shortage'
The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelet donations in the wake of what it called a “critical blood shortage.”
In a news release, the Red Cross said it has seen a shortfall of about 61,000 donations over the past two months. The shortfall is the equivalent of the Red Cross not collecting any blood donations for more than four days.
Summertime — and especially the Independence Day week — regularly is among the most challenging times of the year for the Red Cross because people are busy with vacations and other activities.
According to the Red Cross, blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies every two seconds in the United States. To fill the need, the organization has to collect almost 14,000 blood donations every day for patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.
The nonprofit urged new donors and those who haven’t given in a while to help close the gap.
“It’s crucial that people donate now to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood,” said Kelly Isenor, communications manager of the Connecticut Blood Services Region. “Every day, blood and platelet donors can help save lives, and right now these heroes are needed to give as soon as possible.”
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1 (800) RED CROSS (1 (800) 733-2767).
Blood donation opportunities in New London County in July include:
Groton
July 13: 1:30 - 6:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn - Groton, 224 Gold Star Highway
July 13: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Hampton Inn, 300 Long Hill Road
Jewett City
July 13: 12:30 - 6:15 p.m., French Club, 1 Wilson St. Ext.
Lebanon
July 12: 1 - 6 p.m., Lebanon Senior Center, 37 West Town St., #R
Ledyard
Thursday: 8 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Gales Ferry Firehouse, 1772 Route 12
Thursday: 12:45 - 6 p.m., Gales Ferry Firehouse, 1772 Route 12
July 14: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ledyard Senior Center, 12 Van Tassell Drive
Mystic
Friday: 1 - 6 p.m., Stoneridge Retirement Community, 186 Jerry Browne Road
July 25: 12:30 - 6:15 p.m., Hugo A. Simonelli VFW Post 3263, 60 Stonington Road
Norwich
Thursday: 12:30 - 6:15 p.m., Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike
July 11: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike
July 13: 12:30 - 6:15 p.m., Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike
July 18: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike
July 20: 12:30 - 6:15 p.m., Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike
July 20: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Norwich Public Utilities, 16 South Golden St.
July 25: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Norwich Donor Center, 45 Salem Turnpike
Old Lyme
Friday: 8 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Old Lyme Town Hall, 52 Lyme St.
Friday: 12:45 - 6 p.m., Old Lyme Town Hall, 52 Lyme St.
Uncasville
July 17: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Bernard's School, 1593 Norwich-New London Turnpike
Waterford
Friday: 12:30 - 6:15 p.m., Waterford Town Hall, 15 Rope Ferry Road
July 11: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., VNA of Southeastern CT, 403 North Frontage Road
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