American Red Cross blood supplies remain at seriously low levels even after hundreds of area residents responded to the national appeal for blood donors. Blood products are going out to area hospitals just as quickly as donations are coming in, the Red Cross said today.
In addition, the massive heat wave encompassing much of the country is hurting blood collections at a time when the Red Cross has been working to rebuild its inventories to adequate levels. The triple-digit temperatures have made it extremely difficult to recruit sufficient numbers of donors to go out and give blood.
ěThe Red Cross is grateful to everyone who has come forward to give blood in response to this appeal, but we still need donors to make appointments in the coming days and weeks to help us ensure that all patient blood needs can be met,î said Joyce Brendel, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region.
ěWe carefully monitor blood supplies, sometimes on an hourly basis, in the hope that there will never be a point where surgeries need to be cancelled,î said Dr. Thomas Lightfoot, medical director of the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. ěHowever, there is always the chance that a physician could opt to postpone elective surgery when the blood supply dips too low, or in a worst case scenario, have to forego a procedure such as a lifesaving organ transplant because of a shortage of blood.î
The Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims, as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.
Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
Eligible blood donors are asked to please call 704-633-3854 or visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive and to make an appointment.
Sunday, 1:30- 6 p.m., Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, 750 Mt. Moriah Church Road, China Grove. For an appointment, please call Sharon Hodges at 704-857-0547
Monday, Aug. 8, noon- 4:30 p.m., Salisbury Community, 1930 Jake Alexander Blvd. W. For an appointment, please call the Red Cross office at 704-633-3854.
Thursday, Aug. 11, 12:30-5 p.m., N.C. State Highway Patrol, Salisbury, 5780 S. Main St., Salisbury. For an appointment, please call L. Brady at 704-855-1047.
Sunday, Aug. 14, 12:30-5 p.m., Calvary Baptist Tabernacle, 3760 Stokes Ferry Road, Salisbury. For an appointment, please call Sheila Holshouser 704-645-9328.
Sunday, Aug. 14, 1-5:30 p.m., Christiana Lutheran Church, 6190 U.S. 52, Salisbury. For an appointment, please call Christy Litaker 704-232-3706.
Friday, Aug. 19, 1:30-6 p.m. Walmart Supercenter, 323 S. Arlington St., Salisbury. For an appointment, please call the Red Cross at 704-633-3854 or contact Jan Harwood at Walmart 704-639-9718.
Sunday, Aug. 21, 1-5:30 p.m., Salem Evangelical Lutheran, 5080 Sherrills Ford Road, Salisbury. For an appointment, please call Penny Barger at 704-636 -0352.
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Rowan Regional Medical Center, 612 Mocksville Ave., Salisbury. For an appointment, please call Nancy Allen 704-210-5377.
Friday, Aug. 26, 2:30-7 p.m., Rockwell AMVETS, 427 Link St., Rockwell. For an appointment, please call Nancy Shiverdecker at 704-267-6410
Saturday, Aug. 27, 11 a.m. ń3:30 p.m., South Rowan YMCA, J. Fred Corriher Jr., 950 Kimble Road, China Grove. For an appointment, please call the American Red Cross 704-633-3854.
Blood drive schedule subject to change. Please call the office at 704-633-3854 for updated information.