TENNESSEE VALLEY-The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood and platelets this fall to help restock the shelves following a significant summer shortage to ensure an adequate blood supply for patients in need.
Through the first two weeks of September, the Red Cross is down more than 10,000 donations from what is needed to replenish the blood supply and be prepared for emergencies large and small. Declines in donations can lead to blood shortages and make it difficult to meet patient needs should a disaster or emergency occur.
“September is National Preparedness Month and we urge eligible donors to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets,” Mario Sedlock, director of donor recruitment of the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region. “Whether blood is needed for a chronic condition like sickle cell disease, a routine surgery, a traumatic accident or a large-scale disaster, it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives. Red Cross blood and platelet donors play an important role in helping communities be prepared for all kinds of emergencies.”
Donors of all blood types are needed as blood products continue to be distributed to hospitals almost as quickly as donations come in. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to help reduce wait times.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities
| 9/19/2016: 12 – 6 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 9/21/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Northwest Shoals Community College, 2080 College Road | Phil Campbell |
| 9/22/2016: 1 – 6 p.m., Rogersville Fire Department, 36 Wheeler St. | Rogersville |
| 9/22/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 9/22/2016: 8:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Madison County Career Technical Center, 1275 Jordan Road | Huntsville |
| 9/23/2016: 12 – 5 p.m., Julian Newman Elementary School, 517 Julian Newman Drive | Athens |
| 9/23/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 9/24/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 9/26/2016: 12 – 6 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 9/28/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Northwest-Shoals Community College, 800 George Wallace Blvd. | Muscle Shoals |
| 9/29/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 9/29/2016: 12:30 – 5 p.m., Parker Hannifin Boaz, 301 Wagner Drive | Boaz |
| 9/30/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 9/30/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Legacy Chapel, Legacy Chapel, 16 Hughes Road | Madison |
| 10/1/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St | Huntsville |
| 10/3/2016: 12 – 6 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 10/6/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 10/6/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Falkville High School, 43 Clark Drive | Falkville |
| 10/7/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 10/8/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 10/10/2016: 12 – 6 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 10/11/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Athens State University, 300 N. Beaty St. | Athens |
| 10/12/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., St. John Paul II Catholic High School, 7301 Old Madison Pike | Huntsville |
| 10/13/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 10/14/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 10/15/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madison County Blood Donation Center, 1101 Washington St. | Huntsville |
| 10/15/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. John’s Catholic Church, 1055 Hughes Road | Madison |
Media Release/American Red Cross/Kristen Stancil | External Communications Manager
Biomedical Field Marketing and Communications
