Donors urged to give now as nation faces lowest number of blood donors in decades

Donors have the chance to help save lives, win trip to Super Bowl LVIII

BRIDGEPORT, CT— 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:

Fairfield County

Bridgeport

1/18/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue

1/26/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue

1/29/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant Street

1/31/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Congregation B'nai Israel, 2710 Park Avenue

Brookfield

1/25/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Raymour & Flanigan - Brookfield, 14 Candlewood Lake Road

Danbury

1/8/2024: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Danbury Hospital RSM, 24 Hospital Avenue

1/9/2024: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Gethsemane Baptist Church International, Gethsemane Baptist Church International, 8 Delay Street

1/10/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., 12 Boughton St, 12 Boughton Street

1/13/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Joseph Church, 376 Main Street

1/18/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Danbury Hospital RSM, 24 Hospital Avenue

1/24/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Ann Melkite Catholic Church, 181 Clapboard Ridge Road

1/27/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ann's Place, 80 Saw Mill Road

Darien

1/30/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Road

Easton

1/17/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Road

1/28/2024: 7:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Covenant Church of Easton, 1 Sport Hill Road

Fairfield

1/19/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Black Rock Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike

1/23/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Trinity Baptist Church, 300 North Benson Road

1/25/2024: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sacred Heart University--Fairfield, 3135 Easton Turnpike

1/30/2024: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Fairfield University Student Center, 1073 North Benson Road

1/30/2024: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fairfield University Student Center, 1073 North Benson Road

Monroe

1/27/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Jude's Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike

New Canaan

1/20/2024: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., New Canaan Library, 151 Main Street

New Fairfield

1/12/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., New Fairfield Congregational Church, 20 Gillotti Road

Newtown

1/25/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street

1/26/2024: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street

Norwalk

1/12/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Avenue

1/16/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Legion, 60 County Road

1/21/2024: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Norwalk Inn, 99 East Avenue

1/31/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Norwalk Hospital, 34 Maple Street

Ridgefield

1/25/2024: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Ridgefield Park & Recreation Center, 195 Danbury Road

Shelton

1/12/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street

1/24/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 188 Rocky Rest Road

1/26/2024: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street

1/26/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street

Sherman

1/20/2024: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Sherman Volunteer Fire Department, 1 CT-39

Stamford

1/8/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church Stamford, 1101 Bedford Street

1/13/2024: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, 1527 Bedford Street

1/19/2024: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Stamford Church of Christ, 1264 High Ridge Road

Stratford

1/8/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Our Lady of Peace, 651 Stratford Road

1/25/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Raymond T. Goldbach VFW Post, 100 Veterans Boulevard

Trumbull

1/19/2024: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road

1/24/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road

1/30/2024: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Trumbull YMCA, 20 Trefoil Drive

Westport

1/10/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Green's Farms Church, 71 Hillandale Road

1/23/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., VFW, 465 Riverside Avenue

Wilton

1/10/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road

1/15/2024: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Ambler Farm, 257 Hurlbutt Street

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org  or CruzRojaAmericana.org or follow us on social media.