PORTLAND, Ore. (Jan. 8, 2018) — This January, National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors of all blood types to make an appointment to give now and help address a winter blood donation shortage.
Severe winter weather has had a tremendous impact on blood donations already this year, with more than 150 blood drives forced to cancel causing over 5,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This is in addition to seasonal illnesses, such as the flu, and hectic holiday schedules collectively contributing to more than 28,000 fewer donations than what was needed in November and December.
“Even temporary disruptions to blood and platelet donations can diminish the availability for hospital patients,” said Neil Tosuntikool, Donor Recruitment director of the Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region. “It’s the blood on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency, and that’s why we’re asking eligible individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets today.”
While serving local hospitals is the first priority, the Red Cross can move blood products to where they’re needed most. This allows generous donors throughout the country to contribute to the national blood supply and potentially help patients locally and in storm-affected areas.
While all blood types are urgently needed, there is a more critical need for the following blood and donation types right now:
Platelets: The clotting portion of blood primarily given to cancer patients during treatment and always in great demand.
Type O negative: The blood type that can be transfused to almost everyone and is what doctors reach for in trauma situations.
Type B negative: The blood type that can be transfused to type B Rh-positive and negative patients.
Type AB: The plasma type that can be transfused to almost everyone and can be donated through a platelet or plasma donation, where available, or during a regular blood donation.
How to help
Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, by visiting redcrossblood.org/rapidpass from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.
Who blood donations help
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood – a need that is all too real for Heather Hrouda and her family. Hrouda was 25 weeks pregnant with her fourth child when she began bleeding. An emergency cesarean section was performed, but Hrouda hemorrhaged during surgery. She received 14 units of blood and seven units of plasma before she and her newborn son, Rusher, were flown to a nearby hospital. There, she received additional transfusions, and Rusher was moved to the neonatal intensive care unit, where he also received a blood transfusion to increase his red blood cell count.
“My family and I are so thankful for all the blood donors,” said Hrouda. “It is safe to say that without their time and donations, Rusher and I would not be here today. Because of donors, I get to watch my kids grow up and become the adults they dream of being.”
The Hroudas are just two examples of the many patients who depend on blood and platelet donors. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all require blood to save their lives. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood donations every day for patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 8-31:
Oregon blood drives
Wasco
The Dalles
1/22/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Fort Dalles Readiness Center, The Dalles Community, 402 E Scenic Dr
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Washington
Aloha
1/17/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 18865 SW Johnson Street
1/30/2018: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m., MurrayHill Martial Arts, 11200 Murray Scholls Place
1/31/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Westside Community Church, 18390 SW Farmington Rd
Beaverton
1/10/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Seterus Inc, 14523 SW Millikan Way
1/11/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Village Baptist Church, 330 SW Murray Blvd
1/11/2018: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., LDS - Beaverton W Stake, 17140 SW Bany Road
1/12/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Bilal Mosque Association, 4115 SW 160th
1/13/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Starbucks, 3590 SW Cedar Hills Blvd
1/13/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Natural Grocers, 12155 SW Broadway St
1/21/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sikh Center of Oregon, 17514 SW Scholls Ferry Rd
1/22/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., 20450 Building, 20450 NW Amberwood Dr
1/23/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., DAT Solutions, 8405 SW Nimbus Ave
1/23/2018: 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., Workout Anytime, 14360 SW Allen Blvd
1/25/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Seventh Day Adventist Church Beaverton, 14645 SW Davis Rd.
1/29/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Atmosera, 9705 SW Sunshine Court
Forest Grove
1/9/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., City of Forest Grove, 1915 Main Street
1/31/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Jennings McCall Center, 2300 Masonic Way
Garden Home
1/16/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Garden Home Rec Center, 7475 SW Oleson Rd.
Hillsboro
1/12/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Starbucks Evergreen Parkway Shopping Center, 18320 NW Evergreen Pkwy
1/13/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., USWC Taekwondo, 1095 NE 25th Avenue
1/16/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Synopsys, 2025 NW Cornelius Pass Road
1/18/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Umpqua Bank Hillsboro, 20085 NW Tanasbourne Dr
1/19/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Tuality Community Hospital - Health Ed. Center, 335 SE 8th
1/19/2018: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Pacific University Pharmacy P1, 222 SE 8th Ave
1/23/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Calvary Lutheran Church, 937 NE Jackson School Road
1/29/2018: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., New Life Baptist Church, 3440 E. Main Street
1/31/2018: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Rosewood Specialty Care, 2550 SE Century Blvd
Portland
1/8/2018: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., SOLE Financial, 1675 SW Marlow Avenue, Suite #330
1/8/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sunset Presbyterian Church, 14986 NW Cornell Road
1/10/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunset Athletic Club, 13939 NW Cornell Rd.
1/15/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sunset Presbyterian Church, 14986 NW Cornell Road
1/19/2018: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., US Bancorp Equipment Finance, 13010 SW 68th Parkway
1/20/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fred Meyer Store #285 Raleigh Hills, 7700 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy
1/22/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sunset Presbyterian Church, 14986 NW Cornell Road
1/24/2018: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., LoanStar Home Lending, 9020 SW Washington Square Road
1/27/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Garden Home MarketPlace, 7410 SW Oleson Rd
1/28/2018: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sears, 9800 SW Washington Square Rd
Sherwood
1/10/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sherwood Elks Lodge #2342, 22770 SW Elwert Road
1/25/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St Francis Church, 15651 SW Oregon St
Tigard
1/9/2018: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Allstate-Tigard, 7632 SW Durham Suite 200
1/10/2018: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Tigard City Library, 13500 SW Hall Blvd.
1/12/2018: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 11305 SW Bull Mountain Road
1/14/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Starbucks Store #565, 16200 SW Pacific Hwy
1/19/2018: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 11305 SW Bull Mountain Road
1/22/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Community Center, 9905 SW McKenzie
1/26/2018: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 11305 SW Bull Mountain Road
1/31/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Oegon Department of Treasury Division, 16290 Upper Boones Ferry Rd
1/31/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Bonaventure of Tigard, 15000 Hall Blvd
Tualatin
1/30/2018: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Tualatin Presbyterian Church, 9230 SW Siletz Street
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Yamhill
Amity
1/25/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Perrydale High School Amity, 7445 Perrydale Road
Dayton
1/11/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fire Station, 500 7th Street
McMinnville
1/12/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Lowe's Store #1693, 1250 SW Booth Bend Road
1/19/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Willamette Valley Medical Center, 2700 SE Stratus Avenue
1/19/2018: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Willamette Valley Medical Center, 2700 SE Stratus Avenue
1/26/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Evergreen Aviation Museum, 500 NE Captain Michael Smith Way
Newberg
1/10/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1205 Deborah Rd.
1/16/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Nap's Thriftway, 112 E 1st Street
1/25/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., City of Newberg Public Safety Building, 401 E 3rd St
Sheridan
1/25/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sheridan High School, 433 South Bridge
Willamina
1/30/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Willamina VFW 4211, 771 East Main Street
Washington blood drives
Clark
Amboy
1/12/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Clark County Fire District #10, 21705 NE 399th St.
Battle Ground
1/15/2018: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church Battle Ground, 1603 N. Parkway
1/18/2018: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Battle Ground High School - Winter East Gym, 204 W Main Street
La Center
1/19/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., La Center High School, 725 Highland Road
Vancouver
1/8/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/9/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/10/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/10/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Vancouver Operations Center, 4711 E Fourth Plain Blvd.
1/11/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Vancouver School of Arts & Academics, 3101 Main Street
1/12/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/12/2018: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Dick Hannah Dealerships, 3517 NE Auto Mall Dr.
1/12/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Vancouver Toyota, 10455 NE 53rd St
1/13/2018: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/15/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/16/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., City Hall, 415 W 6th St
1/16/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/17/2018: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Bonneville Power at Van Mall, 7600 NE 41st St.
1/17/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/19/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/20/2018: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/22/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/23/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/24/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/24/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Cascade Park Community Library, 600 NE 136th Ave
1/25/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., US VA Medical Center - Building 11, 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.
1/26/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/27/2018: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/29/2018: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., 24 Hour Fitness, 800 SE Tech Center Drive
1/29/2018: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Wal-Mart Supercenter, 430 SE 192nd Avenue
1/29/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/29/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Felida Bible Church, 3027 NW 119th St.
1/29/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., QFC Camas, 3505 SE 192nd Ave
1/30/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/31/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Vancouver Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave
1/31/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., WSU - Firstenburg, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave
Washougal
1/12/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Washougal High School, 1201 39th Ave
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Cowlitz
Castle Rock
1/17/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Castle Rock City Hall, 141 SW A Street
Longview
1/9/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., YMCA, 766 15th Ave
1/10/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Church of the Nazarene-Longview, 814 15th Ave
1/16/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., YMCA, 766 15th Ave
1/17/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Church of the Nazarene-Longview, 814 15th Ave
1/23/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., YMCA, 766 15th Ave
1/24/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Church of the Nazarene-Longview, 814 15th Ave
1/26/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Life Works, 906 New York St
1/30/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., YMCA, 766 15th Ave
1/31/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Church of the Nazarene-Longview, 814 15th Ave
Woodland
1/23/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., USNR, 1981 Schurman Way
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Skamania
Stevenson
1/30/2018: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Stevenson Library, 120 Vancouver Ave
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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