Upcoming February Blood Drives

The American Red Cross encourages donors to give blood now to help protect the blood supply from the ongoing impact of severe winter weather and wildfires. Donors of all blood types – particularly type O negative blood donors – are needed to help save lives this month.  

As dangerous snow and ice continue to sweep across the country, and wildfires in Southern California continue to burn and impact air quality, Red Cross blood drive cancellations have grown into the hundreds. Collectively, this has resulted in about 15,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations in January. Here in the Kansas and Oklahoma region, 30 blood drives have been cancelled since the new year due to weather, resulting in 657 uncollected blood product donations.

More winter storms are forecast for this week − including in areas of the U.S. that do not typically experience significant snowfall − which could further strain the blood supply. Additionally, hazardous weather conditions have the potential to make it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, possibly affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations. As National Blood Donor Month continues, the time to give is now.

Where it is safe to do so, donors are asked to book a time to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

Upcoming blood drives:

• Feb. 7 - Fort Hays Tech North Central Wellness Center Gym in Beloit (8:30 AM to 2 PM)

• Feb. 12 - Wakefield High School (10:30 AM to 4:30 PM)

• Feb. 13 - Jewell Community Building (11 AM to 4 PM)

• Feb. 14 - Longford Community Building (12 PM to 6 PM)

• Feb. 20 - Catholic Church in Concordia (12 PM to 6 PM) (Flyer)

• Feb. 21 - OCCK in Concordia (9 AM to 3 PM) (Flyer)