The American Red Cross is facing a looming blood shortage, leading to an urgent need for donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve and give. Donations through the Red Cross are down approximately 8 percent over the last 11 weeks, resulting in about 80,000 fewer donations than expected. The number of donors continues to decline, and the shortfall is significant enough that the Red Cross could experience an emergency situation in the coming weeks. Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially needed at this time. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients. There is also an urgent need for platelet donations. Platelets, a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, burn victims and bone marrow recipients, must be transfused within five days of donation, so it’s important to have a steady supply of platelets on hand. Below is a list of locations you can visit to give blood:
Elkhart County
Tuesday, July 22 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Benton Mennonite Church, 15350 County Road 44 in Goshen.
Saturday, July 26 from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Sugar Grove Church, 58512 CR 17 in Goshen.
Marshall County
Thursday, July 24 from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Marshall County Highway Department, 9675 King Road in Plymouth.
St. Joseph County
Wednesday, July 23 from 2:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Granger Missionary Church, 50841 Birch Road in Granger.
The Goshen Donor Center, located at 1123 S. Indiana Ave. in Goshen:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: noon – 6 p.m.
Thursday: closed
Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.
