Days away from Hurricane Milton landfall, American Red Cross seeking blood donations

ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Less than two weeks since Hurricane Helene left many states devastated, Hurricane Milton is just days away from making landfall on Florida’s west coast.

Now, the American Red Cross serving Northwest Arkansas is asking people across the region to step in and fill a vital need.

Over 100 Red Cross volunteers from Northwest Arkansas and Missouri have already made their way down to the southeast region of the United States to provide relief, while another 100 are on standby.

Volunteers are the organization’s first line of defense.

“We’ve got a lot of our local volunteers, our volunteers from Missouri, Arkansas, who are just seeing the devastation and so many people who have lost everything,” said Julie Brown, Executive Director of the American Red Cross serving NWA.

However, its next line of defense is being affected as well.

“We’ve had over 100 blood drives canceled throughout where Helene’s path went through,” said Brown. It is causing an unexpected blood shortage.

With another hurricane heading toward Florida, the agency is doing everything it can to make sure the shelves of its blood bank are filled.

“We weren’t expecting two hurricanes within less than two weeks, but it’s something that the Red Cross knows how to gear up for. And of course, Red Cross is 40% of the nation’s blood supply. So, we’re really the ones that need to help ourselves stocked and ready to go when there is a shortage or need,” said Brown.

While the hurricanes and the devastation are hundreds of miles from Northwest Arkansas, the American Red Cross says the local community can make a difference by donating blood.

“All types are always needed. So, it doesn’t really matter what type of blood you are. Any and all blood types are welcome,” said Brown.

Multiple blood drives are scheduled across the region throughout October. You can find a list of events below, or you can visit the American Red Cross website for more options.

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Benton County

Bentonville

10/14/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1101 McCollum Road

10/24/2024: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., McLarty Daniel Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, 2201 SE Moberly Lane

Rogers

10/28/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church Rogers, 3364 West Pleasant Grove Road

Siloam Springs

10/17/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Ivory Bill Brewing Co, 516 East Main Street #1

10/28/2024: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Eastgate Church of Christ, 1997 US-412

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Carroll County

Berryville

10/12/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Harvest Oak Grove, 9866 AR-21

Eureka Springs

10/18/2024: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Eureka Springs Community Center, 44 Kingshighway

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Washington County

Farmington

10/15/2024: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church-Farmington, 355 Southwinds Dr.

Fayetteville

10/21/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Central United Methodist Church/Central Activities Center, 6 West Dickson Street

10/25/2024: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2925 Old Missouri Rd

Springdale

10/28/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints-Springdale, 6738 Lynchs Prairie Ct

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