Central Plains Region of the American Red Cross to Hold Blood Drive at the Catholic Parish Center in Clay Center on Sept. 22

The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage.  Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals.  Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas. 

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care. 

When Idalia slammed into the Southeast – leading to widespread power outages, travel hazards and flooding – the storm also forced the cancellation of over a dozen blood drives and caused hundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.  This compounded a shortfall of about 30,000 donations in August.  Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in.

The Red Cross needs blood donors now.  The Central Plains Region of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Friday, September 22nd from 8:30 am to 2:15 pm at the Catholic Parish Center, located at 714 Court Street in Clay Center.

Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).