Red Cross facing a national blood shortage

Donors needed now as hospital demand outpaces blood donations

The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas.

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care.

When Idalia slammed into the Southeast – leading to widespread power outages, travel hazards and flooding – the storm also forced the cancellation of over a dozen blood drives and caused hundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This compounded a shortfall of about 30,000 donations in August. Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in.

The Red Cross needs blood and platelet donors now. Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In thanks for helping rebuild the blood supply, all who come to give Sept. 1-18 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give throughout September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/RaceToGive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities September 11-30

Denmark

9/28/2023: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Leonard Dawson Center Voorhees University, 5573 Voorhees Road

Winnsboro

9/18/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church of Winnsboro, 109 College street

Camden

9/19/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Kershaw County School District Office, 2029 W. DeKalb Street
9/21/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church, 1206 Lyttleton Street

Batesburg-Leesville

9/19/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Circle Fire Department, 9251 Columbia Hwy

Cayce

9/12/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center, 1120 Fort Congaree Trail
9/24/2023: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Broadacres Baptist Church, 2350 Taylor Rd.

Chapin

9/14/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Coldwell Banker Chapin, 539 Columbia Ave

Columbia

9/29/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Prisma Health Parkridge, 400 Parkridge Drive

Gilbert

9/25/2023: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Gilbert First Baptist Church, 441 Lewie Street

Leesville

9/14/2023: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Leesville United Methodist Church, 510 E. Columbia Ave.

Lexington
9/11/2023: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., SC State VFW Headquarters, 210 Glassmaster Road
9/11/2023: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Harvest, 4865 Sunset Blvd
9/11/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lexington United Methodist Church, 309 East Main St.
9/13/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Town of Lexington, 111 Maiden Lane
9/18/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lexington Main Library, 5440 Augusta Rd
9/25/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Red Bank Baptist Church, 1357 South Lake Drive
9/28/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lexington Medical Center Lexington, 811 West Main St.
9/28/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Peter's Parrish Life Center, 1130 St. Peter's Road

West Columbia

9/18/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Health Sciences Building, 1260 Lexington Dr.
9/19/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Airport High School, 1315 Boston Ave.

Orangeburg
9/12/2023: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Orangeburg County YMCA, 2550 St Matthews Rd NE
9/14/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., South Carolina State University, 300 College Street NE

Columbia
9/11/2023: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Costco Wholesale, 507 Piney Grove Road
9/11/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/12/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., AllSouth FCU – Elmwood, 730 Elmwood Ave
9/12/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/13/2023: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Prisma Health Richland Medical Center, 5 Richland Medical Park,

North Portal
9/13/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/13/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Prisma Health Richland Medical Center, 5 Richland Medical Park,

North Portal
9/14/2023: 9:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/15/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/16/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/17/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/18/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/19/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/20/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Blue Cross Blue Shield, 2401 Faraway Drive
9/20/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/20/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., First Presbyterian Church Columbia, 1400 Lady Street
9/21/2023: 9:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/21/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Breed Leadership Center, 1301 Columbia College Drive
9/21/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Brook, 8328 Parklane Rd

9/22/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/22/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., American Red Cross, 2751 Bull St
9/22/2023: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Wesley Church, 1725 Gervais Street
9/23/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/24/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/25/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/26/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Benedict College, 1600 Harden Street
9/26/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/27/2023: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Richland County, 2020 Hampton Street
9/27/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/27/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Columbia Family Chiropractic, 224 Oneil Ct, #21
9/28/2023: 9:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/28/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Allen University/ Coppin Hall, 1530 Harden Street
9/29/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St
9/29/2023: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Crayton Middle School, 5000 Clemson Road
9/30/2023: 6:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Columbia Blood Donation Center, 2751 Bull St

Irmo
9/12/2023: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Salem United Methodist Church, 1321 Salem Church Road
9/13/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., River Springs Church, 1007 West Shady Grove Rd.
9/25/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., New Hope Lutheran Church, 1725 Old Tamah Rd.
9/26/2023: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., YMCA/Prisma Ballentine, 1079 Dutch Fork Road

Sumter
9/21/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Grace Baptist Church, 219 West Calhoun St.
9/21/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive
9/29/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., 28TH OWS SHAW AFB, 428 Shaw Drive

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month

One in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease. To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the Red Cross launched the Sickle Cell Initiative in 2021 to grow the number of blood donors who are Black and improve health outcomes for patients. Together longtime and first-time blood donors are helping patients with sickle cell manage their symptoms and showing support for their community.

Joined by Blood is the initiative’s focus during Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September and continues through October. This year, the Red Cross is proud to partner with organizations focused on mentorship, including 100 Black Men of America, Inc.; Kier’s Hope Foundation, Inc.; historically Black colleges and universities and member organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council; as well as the Black Radio Hall of Fame and others, who are all showing up for patients with sickle cell by hosting blood drives. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood.

How to donate blood  

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.

Amplify your impact − volunteer 

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we are in the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters.

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters,  feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.