American Red Cross urging eligible donors of all blood types to give now

As fall approaches, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help end the ongoing critical need for blood and kick off the season with a blood donation. The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types to give now and help ensure lifesaving transfusions are on the sidelines for those who rely on them.

While summer winds down, the Red Cross is concerned that the rise in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant and a potentially active hurricane season may further challenge the ability to collect and meet hospital demand. In recent weeks, the Red Cross has seen blood donor turnout decline by nearly 10% while hospital demand continues to outpace donations. This decline is believed to be due to multiple reasons, including the continued effects of the pandemic on blood drive cancellations and donor availability as well as back-to-school preparations for many families.

You can schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets by using 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.  Upcoming blood drives in Austin will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church today (Thursday) from noon to 6 p.m., also at the YMCA at 501 4th Avenue NE on Friday, September 3rd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., also at Austin Utilities on September 7th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at the Austin Eagles Lookout Arie 703 on September 13th from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.