Emergency blood and platelet shortage: Red Cross supplies drop to lowest post-summer levels since 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 27, 2021) — The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood and platelet shortage and must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month for the blood supply to recover and meet hospital and patient needs. Donors of all blood types – especially type O – and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to give now and in the weeks ahead to overcome this current shortage.

 

Blood donor turnout has reached the lowest levels of the year as many delayed giving amid a return to the workplace and in-person learning, as well as a recent surge in COVID-19 cases across the country due to the delta variant. As cases spiked in August, blood donor participation decreased about 10%, but blood product distributions to hospitals have remained strong, significantly outpacing blood donations in recent weeks.

 

Historically low inventory levels

The national Red Cross blood inventory is the lowest it’s been at this time of year since 2015, with less than a day’s supply of certain blood types in recent weeks. The supply of types O positive and O negative blood, the most needed blood types by hospitals, dropped to less than a half-day supply at times over the last month − well below the ideal five-day supply.

 

“Fall is typically a time when the blood supply rebounds as donors are more available to give than during the busy summer months, but this year has presented a unique and serious challenge,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer for the Red Cross. “While it’s clear the pandemic continues to weigh heavily on our minds, the Red Cross asks the public to remember donating blood and platelets is essential to the many patients that rely on lifesaving transfusions every day.”

 

Don’t wait. People across the country depend on the generosity of blood donors. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

• As a thank-you, all those who come to donate through Sept. 30 and help tackle the emergency blood shortage will receive a limited-edition football-inspired T-shirt while supplies last, plus a coupon for a free haircut via email from Sport Clips Haircuts.*
• All those who come to donate in October will receive a link by email to claim a free Zaxby’s^® Signature Sandwich reward or get a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.**

 

Blood drive safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – 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.

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 27-Oct.15

KENTUCKY

Allen

Scottsville

10/1/2021: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Scottsville Baptist Church, 301 East  Main Street

_______________

Butler

Morgantown

10/4/2021: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Morgantown Mission, 109 South Main Street

_______________

Clinton

Albany

9/30/2021: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., The Medical Center at Albany, 723 Burkesville Rd

_______________

Logan

Russellville

10/4/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 296 West 6th Street

_______________

Marshall

Benton

10/5/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., CFSB Benton Banking Center, 221 West 5th Street

 

Calvert City

10/12/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Altona Baptist Church, 5817 US HWY 62

_______________

Simpson

Franklin

10/5/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Franklin Presbyterian Church, 201 North College St

_______________

Todd

Elkton

10/1/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Elkton Baptist Church, 301 East Main Street

_______________

Trigg

Cadiz

10/5/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., St Stephen Catholic Church, 1698 Canton Rd.

_______________

Warren

Bowling Green

9/28/2021: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College-Building F, 1845 Loop Drive

9/29/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

10/1/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

10/6/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

10/8/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

10/13/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

10/15/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

TENNESSEE

Bedford

Bell Buckle

10/14/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Nashville Predators Bell Buckle Volunteer Fire Department, 113 Main Street

 

Shelbyville

10/12/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Shelbyville, 304 East Depot Street

_______________

Benton

Camden

10/1/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Camden Church of Christ, 1285 U.S. 70 Bypass

_______________

Cheatham

Ashland City

10/11/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ashland City Church of Christ, 110 Cumberland Street

_______________

Coffee

Manchester

9/27/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Manchester Recreation Complex, 557 N. Woodland Street

 

Tullahoma

10/12/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 200 NE Atlantic St

_______________

Davidson

Antioch

10/15/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Ford Ice Center, 5264 Hickory Hollow Parkway

 

Goodlettsville

10/14/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Goodlettsville Church, 226 S. Main Street

 

Nashville

9/27/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Legion Post 88, 2717 McCampbell

9/27/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

9/28/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., The Loveless Cafe, 8400 Highway 100

9/28/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fisk University, 1717 Jackson St.

9/28/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

9/28/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

9/29/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

9/29/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Vanderbilt Health-Belle Meade, 6002 Highway 100

9/29/2021: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

9/30/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., The Donelson Fellowship, 3210 McGavock Pk

9/30/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

9/30/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/1/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/2/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/3/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/4/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/5/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/5/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

10/6/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

10/6/2021: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/7/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

10/7/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/8/2021: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street

10/8/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kroger Bellevue, 7087 Hwy 70 S

10/8/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/9/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/10/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/10/2021: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Saint Henry’s Catholic Church, 6401 Harding Pike

10/11/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., The Inn at Opryland, 2401 Music Valley Drive

10/11/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/11/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

10/12/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/12/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

10/13/2021: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/13/2021: 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, 5120 Franklin Pike

10/14/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ford Ice Center Bellevue, 7638 B Highway 70 S

10/14/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/15/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/15/2021: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center 100 Oaks, 719 Thompson Lane

_______________

Dickson

Burns

10/6/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Burns Church of Christ, 2718 Church Street

 

Charlotte

10/9/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church Community Center, 3008 Bowker Road

_______________

Franklin

Belvidere

10/5/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Belvidere Mennonite Church, 9805 David Crockett Parkway, West

_______________

Giles

Pulaski

9/27/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Rec Center, 333 East College Street

_______________

Lawrence

Ethridge

10/7/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Ethridge Church of Christ, 3805 Hwy, 43 North

 

Summertown

9/29/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Summertown Saddle & Bridle Club, Highway 20

_______________

Macon

Lafayette

10/4/2021: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Lafayette Church of Christ, 212 Church Street

_______________

Marshall

Lewisburg

10/14/2021: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Church Street Church of Christ, 305 West Church Street

_______________

Maury

Columbia

10/1/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion Post 19, 812 Nashville Highway, Hwy 31 North

 

Mount Pleasant

10/4/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Main St Church of Christ, 210 N. Main St

 

Spring Hill

10/6/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Culver’s, 3016 Belshire Village Way

_______________

Montgomery

Clarksville

9/27/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street

9/29/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street

10/2/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison St.

10/4/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street

10/6/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street

10/7/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Morgan University Center, Governors Lane

10/11/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street

10/13/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street

_______________

Overton

Livingston

9/27/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Livingston Regional Education Bldg, 406 1st Street

10/5/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Livingston Overton Chamber, 222 East Main Street

_______________

Putnam

Cookeville

10/4/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Putnam County Library, 50 E. Broad St.

 

Monterey

9/27/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monterey Branch Library, 401 East Commercial Avenue

_______________

Robertson

Greenbrier

10/12/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 2806 Hwy 41 S

 

Ridgetop

10/14/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Ridgetop Volunteer Fire Department, 1735 US-41

_______________

Rutherford

Murfreesboro

9/27/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

9/28/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

9/30/2021: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

9/30/2021: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., World Outreach Church, 1921 New Salem Highway

10/1/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/2/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/3/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/4/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/5/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/7/2021: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/8/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., New Vision Baptist Church, 1750 N. Thompson Lane

10/8/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/9/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/10/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/11/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/12/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/13/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Nashville Predators World Outreach Church, 1921 New Salem Highway

10/14/2021: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/14/2021: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Middle Tennessee Christian School, 100 East MTCS Road

10/15/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

 

Rockvale

9/28/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Rockvale High School, 6545 Highway 99

 

Smyrna

10/12/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Nashville Predators – 1st United Methodist Church Smyrna, 300 Sam Hagar Street – Door C

_______________

Sumner

Gallatin

10/11/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sumner Regional Medical Center, 555 Hartsville Pike

10/13/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sumner Station, 225 Big Station Camp Blvd

 

Hendersonville

10/11/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hendersonville Community Church, 381 West Main

_______________

Warren

Mc Minnville

10/13/2021: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., McMinnville Community, 201 Locust Street

_______________

Williamson

Brentwood

9/28/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

9/29/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

9/30/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., LifePoint Health, 330 Seven Springs Way

9/30/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

10/3/2021: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Otter Creek Church, 409 Franklin Road

10/4/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

10/5/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

10/6/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

10/7/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

10/7/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Church of the Good Shepherd, 1420 Wilson Pike

10/8/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

10/8/2021: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Maryland Farms YMCA, 5101 Maryland Way

10/10/2021: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Brentwood United Methodist Church, 309 Franklin Rd.

10/12/2021: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Co., 5005 Maryland Way

10/13/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Way

10/15/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Way

 

Franklin

9/27/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., CoolSprings Galleria, 1800 Galleria Blvd.

9/28/2021: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Renaissance High School, 108 Everbright Avenue

9/30/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Natchez Trace American Red Cross Chapter, 129 West Fowlkes St, Ste 100

9/30/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Two Meridian, 501 Corporate Center Dr.

10/5/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., NHC Place at Cool Springs, 211 Cool Springs Blvd.

10/6/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Franklin Lions Club at Natchez Trace ARC Chapter Office, 129 West Fowlkes St, Suite 100

10/6/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., City of Franklin, TN, 109 3rd Ave. S.

10/7/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Natchez Trace American Red Cross Chapter, 129 West Fowlkes St, Ste 100

10/12/2021: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Christ Community Church, 1215 Hillsboro Road

10/13/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Nashville Predators Galleria, 1800 Galleria Blvd., Suite 2075

10/14/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Natchez Trace American Red Cross Chapter, 129 West Fowlkes St, Ste 100

10/15/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Westhaven Community, 401 Cheltenham Avenue

 

Nolensville

10/14/2021: 1:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Nolensville First United Methodist Church, 7316 Nolensville Road

_______________

Wilson

Lebanon

10/11/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 1655 Main Street

 

Mount Juliet

9/30/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Mt Juliet Community Center, 1075 Charlie Daniels Parkway

10/4/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Active Life Chiropractic & Rehabilitaton, 12920 Lebanon Road

10/11/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott, 1980 Providence Parkway

 

Save time during donation

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.

 

Health insights for donors

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.

 

Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

 

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 not-for-profit 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.

 

###

 

 

*Terms and conditions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Sport-Clips.

 

**Terms and conditions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Zaxbys.