Urgent need for blood donors, platelet donors with types O, A negative and B negative

For immediate release

 
Buncombe County — As severe winter weather begins to subside, the American Red Cross is asking all eligible blood and platelet donors to help offset a weather-related shortfall in donations.
 
Approximately 770 blood drives across 27 states were canceled across the U.S. due to snow and extreme cold. The blood drive cancellations resulted in a shortfall of nearly 25, 000 blood and platelet donations since Jan. 2.  The number of cancellations in January was the equivalent of the Red Cross having to shut down its national operations for more than an entire day.
 
“It’s the blood products already on the shelves that help save lives when severe weather hits,” said Steve Maness, Vice President of the Red Cross Southeast Blood Services Division. “Thanks to generous Red Cross blood and platelet donors, blood products were available for patients who still needed transfusions despite the weather. Now we invite those previously ‘frozen out’ from giving blood or platelets to come in soon.”
 
Platelet donors, as well as blood donors with the most in-demand blood types — O positive and negative, A negative and B negative — are urgently needed to give blood in the days and weeks ahead to offset the shortfall.
 
Platelets, a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, must be transfused within five days of donation, so donations are constantly needed. Red blood cells, the oxygen carrying component of blood, are the most widely transfused blood product and must be transfused within 42 days.
 
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
 
ASHEVILLE BLOOD DONOR CENTER
100 Edgewood Road, Asheville
Please call 1-800-REDCROSS to schedule an appointment.

Community Blood Drives
 
Tuesday, February 11                              
Montreat College Blood Drive                                             
310 Gaither Circle, Montreat                       
10:00 am to 2:30 pm                                                                                                
For more information or to schedule an appointment please go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: Montreat or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).   
                       
Thursday, February 13                            
Mission Hospital, Inc. Blood Drive                         
501 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville      
7:00 am to 6:00 pm                                                 
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code missionasheville.        
All presenting donors will receive a gift!
                                                                                                                                               
Friday, February 14                                           
Charles George V.A. Medical Center Blood Drive                                     
1100 Tunnel Road, Asheville           
9:00 am to 3:00 pm 
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Vicki Eatmon at 299-2514.
 
Sunday, February 16                               
Central United Methodist Church Blood Drive                                         
27 Church Street, Asheville 
8:30 am to 1:00 pm                                      
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Maureen Carr at 253-3316 extension 320.                                                                                                                                                                        
Thursday, February 20 
Beverly Hills Baptist Church Blood Drive                                      
777 Tunnel Road, Asheville 
2:30 pm to 7:00 pm                                      
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Betty Fox at 299-9233.        
                           
Francis Asbury United Methodist Church Blood Drive                                         
725 Asbury Road, Candler   
2:00 pm to 6:30 pm                                     
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Danya Sellers at 667-3950.
                                                                                                                                               
Friday, February 21                                 
Owen Middle School Blood Drive                                       
730 Old US 70, Swannanoa                                     
12:00 pm to 4:30 pm                                                                                                
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: Owen.
 
Saturday, February 22                           
AC Reynolds High School Blood Drive In Honor of Sylvia Hatchell                                            
1 Rocket Drive, Asheville                             
9:00 am to 1:30 pm                                                                                                  
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
 
Monday, February 24                               
Newfound Baptist Church Blood Drive                                          
2605 New Leicester Highway, Leicester    
2:30 pm to 7:00 pm                                      
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call the Church Office at 683-3178.                  
   
Mountain Credit Union Blood Drive                                               
1453 Sand Hill Road, Candler         
9:30 am to 2:00 pm                                     
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Julia McDonald at 667-7245.                     
 
Wednesday, February 26                                   
Battle of the Badges Blood Drive at First Baptist Church Gym                                        
5 Oak Street, Asheville                     
8:00 am to 6:00 pm                                     
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Samantha Holcombe at 230-6322.                        
All presenting donors will receive an American Red Cross T-shirt!
                                                                                                                                                           
Friday, February 28                                 
Spring Mountain Community Blood Drive at the Community Club                                
807 Old Fort Road, Fairview                                   
3:00 pm to 7:30 pm  
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Bruce Whitaker at 628-1089.                     
                               
Reuter Family YMCA Blood Drive                                      
3 Town Square Boulevard, Asheville          
7:30 am to 12:00 pm                                    
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code missionasheville.        

How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
 
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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