American Red Cross facing severe blood shortage

LINCOLN, Neb. (Nov. 13, 2018) — The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and urgently needs blood donors to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients. Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter.  

During September and October, the Red Cross collected over 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than what hospitals needed. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Fewer blood drives in September and October coupled with hurricanes Michael and Florence, which caused thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected, were key contributing factors to the current blood shortage.

“This time of year, as many give thanks for family, friends and good health, it’s important to remember that patients across the country cannot survive without your generosity,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “From traumas to ongoing cancer treatments, the need for blood doesn’t stop for the holidays. People can give back – and help those in need – by making a lifesaving blood or platelet donation now and hosting a blood drive in the weeks to come.”

An additional 4,300 blood drives nationally – and 140 blood drives in this area – are needed in December, January and February to help stop the shortage from continuing throughout winter. Donations often decline during the winter holidays when many groups postpone blood drives whileregular donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. Severe winter weather may also cause blood drive cancellations contributing to fewer donations than needed. 

To encourage donations around the Thanksgiving holiday, those who come to donate blood with the Red Cross Nov. 21-24 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

How to help: Eligible donors can find a blood 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, from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.

Those interested in hosting a blood drive can learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive this winter, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

Who blood donations help

Kylee Durham, 11, had a rare type of vascular tumor in her right jaw bone. When the tumor ruptured in August, the hemorrhage caused Kylee to lose so much blood that she needed two units of blood before an emergency embolization surgery to stop the bleeding. She required additional transfusions during surgery and received a total of eight units of blood, or about the total blood volume of an average adult, over a 12-hour period. 

The surgery was successful, and Kylee had a partial resection of her jaw a couple of days after the embolization to remove the tumor. Now a few months post-surgery, Kylee is back at home, enjoying middle school and spending time doing the things she loves. Her mother, Brittany Durham, is grateful for the donors who helped save Kylee’s life.

“If it weren’t for blood donors, my daughter would not be alive. She nearly lost all of her blood. Blood donors saved her life,” said Durham. “My dad has been a blood donor for years, and my whole family now are blood donors in honor of Kylee. I encourage people on a daily basis to go out and donate blood.” 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 13-Dec. 15

Cass

Murdock

11/27/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Elmwood Murdock High School, 300 Wyoming

Murray

11/26/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Conestoga High School, 8404 42 St., PO Box 40

Plattsmouth

12/5/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Plattsmouth High School, 1916 E Hiway 34

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Gage

Adams

11/19/2018: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Freeman High School, 415 8th St

Beatrice

11/15/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Southeast Community College Jackson Hall, 4771 West Scott Road

12/13/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center, 4800 Hospital Parkway

12/13/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., State Developmental Center, Admin Bldg – 843 Wallman Dr.

Wymore

12/12/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Building, 115 East E Street

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Jefferson

Diller

11/27/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Community Building, 503 Commercial St

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Johnson

Tecumseh

11/27/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tecumseh State Correctional Institute, 2725 North Hwy 50

12/11/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Johnson County Central Schools, 358 N. 6th St

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Lancaster

Lincoln

11/13/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., US Courthouse Lincoln, 100 Centennial Mall North

11/14/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Costco Lincoln, 1620 Pine Lake Rd

11/17/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Russ’s Market, 33rd and Hwy 2

11/21/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Capital Area and Eastern Nebraska Chapter, 220 Oakcreek Dr.

11/25/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Barnes and Noble, 2910 Pine Lake Road

11/26/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Lutheran Family Services Inc: Lincoln, 2301 O St.

11/27/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., University of Nebraska at Lincoln Campus Recreation Center, 841 North 14th Street

11/28/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Good Life Fitness Lincoln-Southeast, 8601 Amberhill Ct

11/29/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Zillow Group, 5960 S 57th St

12/1/2018: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., College View Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4801 Prescott Ave

12/4/2018: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Lincoln Lutheran High School, 1100 N. 56th St.

12/8/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hy-Vee N. 27th St., 5020 N 27th Street

12/8/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Ln

12/10/2018: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Capital Area and Eastern Nebraska Chapter, 220 Oakcreek Dr.

12/14/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sampson Construction Co., Inc., 3730 S. 14th Street

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Nemaha

Auburn

11/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., 4-H Building, 9th and J Street

Peru

11/13/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Peru State College Student Center, 600 Hoyt St

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Otoe

Nebraska City

11/19/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Eagle’s Club, 600 1st Corso

11/20/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Nebraska City High School, 141 Steinhart Park Road

Syracuse

12/11/2018: 11:15 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 1162 Mohawk

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Pawnee

Lewiston

11/19/2018: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lewiston High School, PO Box 74

Pawnee City

12/6/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Methodist Church, 849 F St

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Richardson

Falls City

11/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Prichard Auditorium, 312 W 17th Street

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Saline

Crete

12/12/2018: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tabitha, 1800 E 13th St

Friend

11/16/2018: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Friend High School, 501 Main

Wilber

11/20/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Sokol Hall, 321 Wilson