WICHITA, Kan. (Feb. 22, 2021) — Record-breaking cold and winter storms across much of the U.S. have had a significant impact on blood and platelet donations. The American Red Cross is urging healthy individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give now to ensure blood products are available for patient emergencies when help can’t wait.

Extreme winter weather has forced the cancellation of hundreds of Red Cross blood drives in about 30 states and caused more than 15,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. In Kansas and Oklahoma 1,060 donations have gone uncollected as blood drives canceled across the area.

Every day thousands of patients rely on lifesaving blood donations. The need for blood is constant, even during snowstorms and the COVID-19 pandemic. To help ensure lifesaving patient care isn’t impacted, individuals are urged to make appointments to donate in the coming days and weeks by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Important COVID-19 information for donors

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.

 

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 22-March 15

KS Zone 6

Allen

 

Humboldt

2/26/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., First Baptist Church, 7th and Osage

 

Iola

3/10/2021: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Iola North Community Building, 505 N. Buckeye

3/11/2021: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Iola North Community Building, 505 N. Buckeye

_______________

Butler

 

Andover

2/24/2021: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Generations Church, 425 Green Valley

3/9/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hope Community Church, 1831 E 21st St

 

Douglass

3/10/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Douglass High School, 921 E. 1st St.

 

El Dorado

2/23/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Christian Church, 300 W Central

_______________

Chautauqua

 

Sedan

3/1/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sedan Community Building, 1000 N Montgomery

_______________

Cowley

 

Arkansas City

3/12/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Central Christian Church, 206 W Central

 

Burden

2/22/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 118 West 6th

 

Winfield

3/11/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1000 Millington

_______________

Elk

 

Moline

2/23/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 300 N. Main

_______________

Montgomery

 

Cherryvale

2/22/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Cherryvale Public Library, 329 E. Main

_______________

Neosho

 

Galesburg

3/5/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Galesburg Christian Church, 205 Chestnut

_______________

Sumner

 

Argonia

3/15/2021: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Plains Church, 102 N Argonia Rd

 

Belle Plaine

2/22/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Belle Plaine Community Center, 528 N. Merchant

 

Wellington

2/26/2021: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Wellington High School, 1700 East 16th

_______________

Wilson

 

Fredonia

3/15/2021: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1201 Madison St.

 

Neodesha

3/2/2021: 12:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Church of the Nazarene, 812 N. 7th

3/12/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Neodesha United Methodist Church, 802 Indiana

_______________

OK

 

Kay

 

Ponca City

3/9/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Pioneer Technology Center, 2101 N Ash Street

 

About blood donation

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. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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.

 

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

 

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.