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 — …
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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 sweep across the country, and wildfires in southern California burn and impact air quality, Red Cross blood drive cancellations have grown into the hundreds. Collectively, this has resulted in more than 12,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations in January. In the Alabama and Mississippi Region, 12 blood drives have been canceled since the new year due to weather, resulting in 200 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.
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).
As a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during this crucial time, those who come to give through Jan. 26 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The trip includes access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to New Orleans, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 7-10), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.
All who come to give Jan. 27-Feb. 28 will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Flurry for details.
Jan. 27: Noon-4 p.m., YMCA of South Alabama, 27080 Pollard Road
Feb. 11: 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Eastern Shore Church of Christ, 1209 Daphne Ave.
Feb. 11: 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus Councils 2737 and 8959, 602 Main St., Knights of Columbus Council 2737 Hall
Jan. 30: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., VFW Post 5658, 24230 US-98
Jan. 31: Noon-5 p.m., Fairhope Christian Church, 349 Fairwood Blvd.
Jan. 27: 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Gulf Shores Middle School, 450 E. 15th Ave.
Jan. 31: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., City Hall, 4099 Orange Beach Blvd.
Jan. 31: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., American Red Cross-Mobile Chapter, 35 N. Sage Ave.
Feb. 7: 1-6 p.m., American Red Cross-Mobile Chapter, 35 N. Sage Ave.
Feb. 11: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Bishop State, 1365 Dr. Martin Luther King Ave.
Feb. 12: 2-6 p.m., American Red Cross-Mobile Chapter Donor Room, 35 N. Sage Ave.
