Jan. 8, 2024 — The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.
Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.
“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.”
Don’t wait – 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 Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 8-31:
Deuel County
Chappell
1/22/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Chappell Fire Hall, 1650 2nd Street
Furnas County
Cambridge
1/24/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cambridge High School, 1003 Nelson St
Keith County
Ogallala
1/16/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ogallala Fair Building, 1100 West 3rd
1/17/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ogallala Fair Building, 1100 West 3rd
Lincoln County
Brady
1/15/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Building, 121 North Main
North Platte
1/9/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/10/2024: 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/13/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/14/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/15/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/16/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/17/2024: 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/18/2024: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Berean Church, 202 West 8th
1/20/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/21/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/22/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/23/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/24/2024: 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/25/2024: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., NPCC South Campus, 601 West State Farm Rd
1/26/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., St Pats High School, 500 S. Silber Street
1/27/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/28/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/29/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/30/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
1/31/2024: 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
Sutherland
1/22/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sutherland Public Schools, 401 Walnut
Logan County
Stapleton
1/10/2024: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Village Hall, 236 Main Street
McPherson County
Tyron
1/12/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., McPherson County Fair Building, 519 6th Street
Red Willow County
Mc Cook
1/9/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Cornerstone Fellowship, 402 West 5th Street
1/30/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., McCook College Student Union, 1202 East 3rd