Emergency Blood Shortage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Emergency blood shortage: Severe weather further strains Red Cross blood supply
Communities encouraged to stay ready, give blood or platelets during National Preparedness Month
Forest City, N.C., Aug. 26, 2024 — The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood emergency as remnants of Hurricane Debby and other severe weather events across the country have further complicated efforts to rebuild the nation’s blood supply. Those in unaffected areas are urged to make an appointment to give now.
Weather in recent weeks has added to the summer shortfall in donations by forcing the cancellation of nearly 60 blood drives throughout the country, many of which were caused by Debby, causing approximately 1,500 lifesaving blood products to go uncollected. Annually, severe weather − such as blizzards, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes − impacts about 90,000 blood donations made to the Red Cross. In the month of August alone, Tropical Storm Debby led to several blood drive cancellations in North Carolina, causing about 500 donations to go uncollected. Because blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer blood donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have serious consequences for hospitals and patients.
First-time donors and those who give regularly are critical to blood supply recovery. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The following are the September blood drives in your area:
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
1:30 PM – 6 PM
Gilkey School Community Center
217 Gilkey School Rd, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Thursday, September 5, 2024
3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Crestview Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall
630 S Church St, Forest City, NC 28043
Thursday, September 12, 2024
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
East Rutherford High School, Auxiliary Gym
331 E High Rd, Bostic, NC 28018
Friday, September 13, 2024
12:00 PM – 5:30 PM
First Baptist Church of Forest City, Fellowship Hall
Sponsored by Forest City Fire Department
211 W Main St, Forest City, NC 28043
Monday, September 16, 2024
12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Lake Lure Fire Department, Meeting Room
622 Memorial Hwy, Lake Lure, NC 28746
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Isothermal Community College, Foundation Building Lobby
286 ICC Loop Rd, Spindale, NC 28160
Saturday, September 28, 2024
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Cliffside Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall
220 Old Main St, Cliffside, NC 28024
In thanks, all who come to give through Aug. 31 will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Help for details. Those who come to give Sept. 1-15 will receive an exclusive Red Cross raglan T-shirt, while supplies last.
Be ready for emergencies September is National Preparedness Month, and a strong blood supply is key to preparedness for disasters and medical emergencies. As disasters occur more often and become more powerful due to the climate crisis, the Red Cross also encourages people to get their households ready for emergencies. This year the country has already seen the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded with Hurricane Beryl, and wildfires have burned 2.7 million more acres compared to all of 2023.
Disasters can happen anywhere, at any time, often without warning. Get ready by making a plan to stay safe, gathering important supplies and knowing how you’ll stay connected. To learn what disasters may affect your community, visit redcross.org/hazardmap and then download the free Red Cross Emergency App for step-by-step guidance, real-time weather alerts and expert preparedness and safety advice in both English and Spanish.
Media Contact: Gail Barksdale
Telephone: (828) 676-7811
