Red Cross Issues Plea for Blood

The American Red Cross blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. This shortfall leaves the Red Cross with half the readily available blood products on hand now than this time last year.

The Red Cross is calling on all eligible blood donors – now more than ever – to roll up a sleeve and give as soon as possible. All blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand this summer.

“Every day, the Red Cross must collect more than 17,000 units of blood for patients at more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Of that, the South Carolina Blood Services Region must collect approximately 500 units per day,” said Julie Weilacher, interim CEO of the American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region. “We need donors to make appointments in the coming days and weeks to help us ensure that all patient blood needs can be met. Each unit of whole blood can help save more than one life.”

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 permission 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. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or find blood donation opportunities in your community.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities

Mount Pleasant Donation Center
Village Point Shopping Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd., Ste. A-10

Whole Blood
Monday and Tuesday: closed
Wednesday and Thursday: noon-6:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Sunday: closed

Platelets
Monday and Tuesday: noon-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday: closed
Friday-Sunday: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

West Ashley Donation Center
Harrell Square Shopping Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Ave., Ste. 112

Whole Blood
Monday-Thursday: noon-6:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Sunday: closed

Platelets
Monday and Tuesday: noon-6 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday: Closed
Friday-Sunday: 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

MUSC Donation Center
171 Ashley Avenue, Room 279

Whole Blood only
Monday: closed
Tuesday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Friday-Sunday: closed

For a listing of community blood drives, visit www.redcrossblood.org.