American Red Cross is in dire need of blood and platelet donors: How to help locally

Karen Dandurant, Foster's Daily Democrat
·6 min read

DOVER — The American Red Cross is sending out a plea for blood donors, saying there is a tremendous need right now.

The Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage. The Red Cross said 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.

The number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40% over the last 20 years.

The American Red Cross is looking for the public's help with blood donations as it reports an emergency shortage.
The American Red Cross is looking for the public's help with blood donations as it reports an emergency shortage.

"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," the Red Cross stated. "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."

Red Cross spokesperson Jennifer Costa said donations are tracked based on two-week appointment schedules.

For the next two weeks, in New Hampshire there are 3,136 appointments still available, meaning 60% of appointments over next two weeks are unfilled, Costa said. "In Maine, there are 1,511 appointments available, or 49% of appointments over next 2 weeks going unfilled."

"As a mom of a child who has needed blood, shortages like this hit close to home," said Stephanie Couturier, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Northern New England Region. "Many people do not think about the strength of the nation’s blood supply or even where blood comes from until it tragically collides with their lives. The reality is every two seconds someone in this country needs a blood transfusion — and that lifesaving gift is not available if not for volunteer donors. It’s the blood on hospital shelves that saves lives in an emergency, so I urge you to make 2024 the year you resolve to roll up a sleeve and become a blood donor.”

Hospitals rely on blood donors to keep their supply available.

“One of the most distressing situations for a doctor is to have a hospital full of patients and an empty refrigerator without any blood products," said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross. "A person needs lifesaving blood every two seconds in our country, and its availability can be the difference between life and death, however, blood is only available thanks to the generosity of those who roll up a sleeve to donate.”

Super Bowl trip offered as prize to blood donors

The American Red Cross is looking for the public's help with blood donations as it reports an emergency shortage.
The American Red Cross is looking for the public's help with blood donations as it reports an emergency shortage.

Donors will be entered into a contest to win a trip to Super Bowl LVIII while they are helping to save lives.

The Red Cross and the 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.

“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.”

To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Locally, the following locations are available. Costa said due to New England weather, she suggests checking the day of your appointment to be sure the event is available, or to reschedule.

Rockingham County (greater Seacoast communities)

Epping: 1/22: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Legion Post 51, Epping, 232 Calef Highway.

Greenland: 1/17: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bethany Church, 500 Breakfast Hill Road.

Hampton: 1/11: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, 289 Lafayette Road, 1/26: noon - 5 p.m., United Methodist Church, 525 Lafayette Road.

Newington: 1/29: noon - 5 p.m., Mall at Fox Run, 50 Fox Run Road.

Newmarket: 1/22: noon - 4:30 p.m., Newmarket Polish American Club, 18 Central St.

Nottingham: 1/24: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Nottingham Community Center, 139 Stage Road.

Portsmouth: 1/12: noon - 5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 300 Woodbury Ave., 1/15: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Portsmouth High School, 50 Andrew Jarvis Drive., 1/17: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Senior Activity Center, 125 Cottage St., 1/18: noon - 5 p.m., Best Western Plus Wynwood Hotel & Suites, 580 US Hwy 1 Bypass, 1/22: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Piscataqua Savings Bank, 200 Griffin Road Unit 10.

Seabrook: 1/20: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Trinity United Church Parish House, 29 Main St., 1/30: noon - 5 p.m., Professional PT Seabrook, 325 Lafayette Road.

Stratham: 1/13: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Stratham Volunteer Fire Department, 2 Winnicutt Road.

Strafford County

Dover: 1/10: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bill Dube Ford/Toyota, 40 Dover Point Road, 1/17: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, 789 Central Ave., 1/18: noon - 4:30 p.m., Dover Baptist Church, 151 Washington St., 1/19: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Bill Dube Ford/Toyota, 40 Dover Point Road, 1/23: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Mary Church, 25 Chestnut St., 1/26: noon - 5 p.m., St. Johns United Methodist Church, 28 Cataract Ave.

Durham: 1/30: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., University of New Hampshire Memorial Union Building, 83 Main St., 1/31: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., UNH Memorial Union Building, 83 Main St.

Rochester: 1/11: noon - 5 p.m., Frisbie Memorial Hospital, 11 Whitehall Road, 1/19: noon - 5 p.m., Frisbie Memorial Hospital, 11 Whitehall Road, 1/26/2024: noon - 5 p.m., Frisbie Memorial Hospital, 11 Whitehall Road.

Rollinsford: 1/31: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 47, 551 Foundry St.

Somersworth: 1/16: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Legion Hall, 45 Washington St.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Red Cross faces blood shortage: Where to donate in Seacoast NH