Media Contact: Doyle Rader
(214) 770-4258 | Doyle.Rader@redcross.org
DALLAS, Oct. 13, 2023 — Since announcing a national blood and platelet shortage a month ago, thousands of donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to help rebuild the American Red Cross blood and platelet supply. As that generosity continues, the Red Cross is working around-the-clock to ensure patients have access to lifesaving transfusions and must collect 10,000 additional blood and platelet donations – over and above expectations – each week over the next month to sufficiently meet hospital needs. Donors of all blood types are urged to book a time to give now, especially those with type O blood or those giving platelets.
Don’t wait – patients are counting on critical care this fall. To make an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
To encourage more blood and platelet donations, the Red Cross is offering new incentives to donors over the next month. All who come to give Oct. 21-Nov. 9 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a restaurant merchant of their choice to enjoy lunch on the Red Cross. They’ll also be automatically entered to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three lucky winners – one chosen at random each week. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Lunch.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines don’t affect donor eligibility
As cold and flu season quickly approaches, the Red Cross is reminding donors that they can still give blood or platelets after receiving a flu vaccine, so long as they are feeling healthy and well on the day of their donation. Likewise, there is no deferral or wait time for those receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 21-Nov. 9:
Allen
11/2/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Allen City Hall, 305 Century Parkway
11/3/2023: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Motorola Solutions, 415 E Exchange Pkwy.
Arlington
10/21/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1500 California Ln.
10/25/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Central YMCA, 2200 S. Davis Dr.
10/31/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Family Healthcare Associates, 1300 S. Fielder Rd.
Bedford
11/10/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bedford Center YMCA, 2801 Forest Ridge Dr.
Burleson
10/23/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - Burleson Chapel, 390 John Jones Dr.
Celeste
10/30/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Celeste High School, 609 FM 1562
Corsicana
11/1/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mildred High School, 5475 S HWY 287
Dallas
10/23/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., White Rock Family YMCA, 7112 Gaston Ave.
10/25/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Plaza of the Americas, 600 North Pearl, 12th Floor
10/27/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Moorleland Family YMCA at Oak Cliff-Multipurpose Room, 6701 S Hampton Rd.
10/30/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross Dallas Chapter, 2055 Kendall Dr.
11/6/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross Dallas Chapter, 2055 Kendall Dr.
Denton
10/27/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Medical City Denton-Professional Building, 3537 South Interstate 35 E
Flower Mound
10/28/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church, 6101 Morriss Road
Forney
10/27/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Forney High School, 6170 N. Falcon Way
11/6/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Forney High School, 800 FM 741 S
Fort Worth
10/21/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Fort Worth, 500 W. Bonds Ranch Rd.
10/25/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Hulen Mall, 4800 South Hulen St.
10/27/2023: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Red Cross FTW Office, 6000 Western Pl. #6000, Ste. 100
10/31/2023: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, 3901 S. Hulen St.
11/10/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., American Red Cross FTW Office, 6000 Western Pl. #6000, Ste. 100
11/10/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Texas Christian University, 2901 Stadium Dr,
Frisco
11/3/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Life Community Church, 25631 Smotherman Rd.
Keller
11/10/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Row House Keller, 1411 Keller Pkwy., Ste. 700
Lewisville
10/27/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Medical City Lewisville, 475 Elm St.
McKinney
11/7/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Springhill Suites McKinney, 2660 S. Central Expressway
Plano
10/21/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Haggard Plano Library, 2501 Coit Rd.
10/23/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar, 3601 Dallas Parkway
11/6/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Chase Oaks Church: Legacy Campus, 201 Legacy Dr.
Prosper
11/4/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Prosper, 970 North Coit Rd.
Richardson
11/1/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Baptist Richardson, 1001 N. Central Expy.
Royse City
11/3/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Trinity Baptist Church, 300 N Erby Campbell Blvd.
The Colony
10/30/2023: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Nebraska Furniture Mart, 5600 Nebraska Furniture Mart Dr.
Waxahachie
10/26/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Baylor Medical Center of Waxahachie, 2400 N. I-35 E
Weatherford
10/30/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Weatherford College Texas Hall, 225 College Park Dr.
11/9/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2251 Bethel Rd.
Wylie
11/4/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Wylie, 400 N, Sanden Blvd.
11/9/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wylie High School, 2550 W FM 544
How to donate blood
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.
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 nonprofit 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.
