Donors needed now as hospital demand outpaces blood donations

BRIDGEPORT, CT - The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas.  

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care.

When Idalia slammed into the Southeast – leading to widespread power outages, travel hazards and flooding – the storm also forced the cancellation of over a dozen blood drives and caused hundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This compounded a shortfall of about 30,000 donations in August. Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in.

The Red Cross needs blood and platelet donors now. Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In thanks for helping rebuild the blood supply, all who come to give Sept. 1-18 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give throughout September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/RaceToGive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 12-30:

Fairfield

Bethel

9/13/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bethel Volunteer Fire Department, 36 South Street #38

9/29/2023: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., First Congregational Church, 46 Main Street

Bridgeport

9/13/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Total Mortgage Arena at Harbor Yard, 600 Main St

9/13/2023: 1:15 p.m. - 6 p.m., Total Mortgage Arena at Harbor Yard, 600 Main St

9/25/2023: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue

9/30/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 1 p.m., Mcgivney Community Center, 338 Stillman St

Brookfield

9/26/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Raymour & Flanigan - Brookfield, 14 Candlewood Lake Road

Danbury

9/20/2023: 11:15 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Danbury Hospital RSM, 24 Hospital Avenue

Darien

9/19/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Road

Fairfield

9/13/2023: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Scandinavian Club, 1351 South Pine Creek Road

9/15/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Fairfield University Student Center, 1073 North Benson Road

9/15/2023: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Fairfield University Student Center, 1073 North Benson Road

9/19/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Trinity Baptist Church, 300 North Benson Road

9/20/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sacred Heart University--Fairfield, 3135 Easton Turnpike

9/22/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Gaelic American Club, 74 Beach Road

Monroe

9/23/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Jude's Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike

9/26/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Monroe Congregational Church, 34 Church St

New Canaan

9/12/2023: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Saint Mark's Church, 111 Oenoke Ridge Road

New Fairfield

9/21/2023: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., New Fairfield Company A Volunteer Fire Department, 302 Ball Pond Road

Newtown

9/14/2023: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St.

9/14/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St.

Norwalk

9/12/2023: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., The Tile Shop, 360 Connecticut Ave

9/20/2023: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street

9/20/2023: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Philip's Church, 25 France Street

9/26/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion, 60 County Road

9/28/2023: 11:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Norwalk Hospital, 34 Maple Street

Ridgefield

9/28/2023: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Ridgefield Park & Recreation Center, 195 Danbury Rd.

Shelton

9/15/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street

9/29/2023: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sports Center Connecticut, 784 River Road

Stamford

9/14/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Italian Center, 1620 Newfield Avenue

9/18/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church Stamford, 1101 Bedford St

9/23/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 1 p.m., Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, 1527 Bedford Street

Stratford

9/21/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Raymond T. Goldbach VFW Post, 100 Veterans Boulevard

9/23/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Our Lady of Grace Parish Center, 345 Second Hill Lane

Trumbull

9/15/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Insports Centers, 29 Trefoil Drive

9/26/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road

Westport

9/20/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., VFW, 465 Riverside Avenue

9/22/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Westport, 75 Church Lane

9/26/2023: 1:45 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Green's Farms Church, 71 Hillandale Road

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month

This Wednesday, September 13, the Red Cross is teaming up with the City of Bridgeport, Total Mortgage Arena and local community organizations to emphasize the importance of a diverse blood supply to help meet the needs of those with sickle cell disease.

Introducing "Bridgeport Stand Up!”, this event signifies the inaugural city-wide Blood Drive and Community Resource Fair, held in honor of Sickle Cell Awareness Month. The event is scheduled to take place on September 13 at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Community members are encouraged to schedule a blood donation appointment. Additionally, individuals are invited to drop by and connect with local organizations that are actively making a difference in the lives of patients with sickle cell disease.

One in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease. To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the Red Cross launched the Sickle Cell Initiative in 2021 to grow the number of blood donors who are Black and improve health outcomes for patients. Together longtime and first-time blood donors are helping patients with sickle cell manage their symptoms and showing support for their community.

Joined by Blood is the initiative’s focus during Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September and continues through October. This year, the Red Cross is proud to partner with organizations focused on mentorship, including 100 Black Men of America, Inc.; Kier’s Hope Foundation, Inc.; historically Black colleges and universities and member organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council; as well as the Black Radio Hall of Fame and others, who are all showing up for patients with sickle cell by hosting blood drives. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood

How to donate blood

To make an appointment, simply 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. 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 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 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Amplify your impact − volunteer

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we are in the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters.

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday

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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross