Red Cross calls for emergency blood donations

Red Cross will be extending their hours at many donation sites to allow for more donations.

As a result, there’s about 39,000 fewer donations than what hospitals in the region need to accommodate patients. A recent Red Cross poll revealed that more than 75 percent of donors surveyed indicated they have vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after July 4.

According to Maureen Wellman, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, eligible donors are encouraged to give blood now. The blood on the shelves only has a shelf life of 42 days and platelets only have a shelf life of five.

The American Red Cross issued an emergency call for blood and platelet donations Tuesday as donations hit “extremely low” levels.

Vacations often account for a drop in donations leading up to Independence Day, a Red Cross news release says. “All types are needed, but if you have O-negative blood, we really hope to see you in these weeks”.

Watch Mae’s story to learn how blood donations can make a lifesaving difference.

July 21, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., North Carolina Central University Miller Morgan Building, Nelson St.

Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. -5 p.m., YMCA, 100 Constitution Ave.

A blood drive is being held tomorrow in Rincon, from 8 a.m.to noon at the Effingham YMCA.

Saturdays and Sundays: 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

/ July 22: From 10 a.m.to 3 p.m., Stow Fire Department, 3800 Darrow Road, Stow.

July 16: Pinnacle Learning Center, 1508 Route 9W, Marlboro, 8 a.m. -1 p.m.

7/9/2016: 7:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.

July 25, 2 p.m.to 7:30 p.m.

July 11, 11:30 a.m.to 6:30 p.m.

There’s no limit to how many laps you can drive – it’s $10 per lap – and all proceeds benefit American Red Cross Disaster Relief.