Red Cross: Donors needed to protect blood supply

As World Blood Donor Day approaches on June 14, the American Red Cross stresses that blood and platelet donors are critically needed right now to combat a drastic shortfall in donations over the last several weeks. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets.

Record-breaking summer travel and severe weather conditions are expected to persist all season long, which may prevent donors from being able to give. When fewer people donate, less blood is available for hospital patients. Book a time to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org , calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app.

Those who come to give between June 10-30 will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/DoGood for details.

HOW TO DONATE

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. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years old 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 and younger also have to meet height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor app.

Upcoming blood drives are scheduled at the following locations.

BAILEY

• June 23 — Noon to 4 p.m., Bailey Methodist Church, 12437 Green St.

NASHVILLE

• June 17 — 2-6 p.m., Sandy Cross Methodist Church, 3725 Sandy Cross Road

• June 17 — 2-6 p.m., Nashville Baptist Church, 512 E. Washington St.

• June 27 — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nash County Senior Center, 103 N. Alston St.

ROCKY MOUNT

• June 17 — 1:30-6 p.m., Christ Covenant Church, 3124 Belmont Lake Drive

• June 25 — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Harrison Family YMCA, 1000 Independence Drive

• June 27 — 1:30-5 p.m., Rocky Mount Moose Lodge, 521 Country Club Road

TARBORO

• June 27 — 12:30-4:30 p.m., Edgecombe County Administration Building, 201 Saint Andrew St.

WILSON

• June 12 — 1-6 p.m., Mission Physical Therapy, 1901 Westwood Ave. W.

• June 13 — 1:30-5:30 p.m., Connect Church, 4865 W. Nash St.

• June 15 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Omega Resource Center, 300 Fairview Ave SW

• June 19 — 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wilson Community College, 902 Herring Ave.

• June 19 — 2-6 p.m., MBA St. James Plaza Center, 1745 Martin Luther King Jr Parkway

• June 20 — Noon to 6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Wilson, 311 Nash St. W.

• June 22 — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., West Nash United Methodist Church, 2200 Nash St. N.

LUCAMA

• June 13 — 2:30-6:30 p.m., Vision Church, 7369 U.S. 301

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