DALLAS, Jan. 24, 2024 — The American Red Cross continues to experience an emergency blood shortage as severe winter weather has further impacted the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Blood and platelet donors are urged to give now to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.
The national blood supply remains at critically low levels. Blood drives have been canceled in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood. As a result, nearly 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected this month alone. In addition to dangerous road conditions, many Americans have dealt with flight and shipping delays, and the Red Cross is no different. Snow, ice and extreme temperatures have made it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations.
As much of the country warms up this week, individuals are urged to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets 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 give Feb. 1-29, 2024, will receive a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.
The nation is currently facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. When fewer people donate blood, any disruption to blood donations – like recent weather systems – can have a huge effect on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Generous blood donors are vital to ensuring those in need of transfusions have access to lifesaving care.
New Blood Donor Rewards program
Since announcing an emergency blood shortage earlier this month, thousands of donors across the country have answered the call to help. In appreciation for all those who take the time to help save lives, the Red Cross is pleased to launch an all-new Blood Donor Rewards program. This program offers a new way for the Red Cross to say thank-you for the generous donations that are critical to patients counting on lifesaving care. All donors will now earn points for their donations that accumulate each time they roll up a sleeve to give. Donors automatically started earning points on Jan. 1, 2024, and they can redeem points any time of year to receive e-gift cards or save them to redeem and claim an exclusive Red Cross merchandise item in the next calendar year. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Rewards.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 24 – Feb. 8:
Collin County
1/25/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Allen City Hall, 305 Century Parkway, Allen, TX 75013
1/26/2024: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital Plano, 1100 Allied Drive, Plano, TX 75093
1/30/2024: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Medical City Frisco Office Building II, 5575 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco, TX 75034
2/1/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 970 Coit Road, Prosper, TX 75078
2/3/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Muslims For Life, Ahmadiyya Movement In Islam, 1850 Hedgcoxe Rd., Allen, TX 75013
2/6/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1100 El Dorado Parkway, Frisco, TX 75035
2/6/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Springhill Suites McKinney, 2660 S. Central Expressway, McKinney, TX 75070
Dallas County
1/25/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St. Stephen United Methodist Church, 2520 Oates Dr., Mesquite
1/26/2024: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Desoto Recreation Center, 211 E. Pleasant Run Road, DeSoto, TX 75115
1/31/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., White Rock Family YMCA, 7112 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75214
2/5/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Duncanville Public Library, 201 James Collins Blvd., Duncanville, TX 75116
2/8/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Toyota Music Factory, 370 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 104, Irving, TX 75309
Denton County
1/29/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hebron & Josey Library, 4220 N. Josey Lane, Carrollton, TX 75010
1/29/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pilot Point High School, 1300 N. Washington St., Pilot Point, TX 76258
1/31/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center, 3100 Town Center Tr., Denton, TX 76201
2/3/2024: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Alliance Texas Stake, 2509 Trophy Club Drive, Trophy Club, TX 76262
Erath County
2/8/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Thompson Student Center, 1452 W. Jones St., Stephenville, TX 76401
Johnson County
1/27/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Cleburne Chapel, 303 South Nolan River Road, Cleburne, TX 76033
Kaufman County
1/26/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Forney High School, 6170 N. Falcon Way, Forney, TX 75126
2/1/2024: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Lowe's, 902 Hwy 80, Forney, TX 75126
Navarro County
1/24/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mildred High School, 5475 S. Hwy 287, Corsicana, TX 75109
Tarrant County
1/24/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., American Red Cross Fort Worth, 6000 Western Pl. #6000, Ste. 100, Fort Worth, TX 76107
1/30/2024: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Lowe's, 600 North Tarrant Parkway, Keller, TX 76248
1/31/2024: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, 3901 S. Hulen St., Fort Worth, TX 76109
2/2/2024: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Amon G. Carter, Jr. Downtown YMCA, 512 Lamar Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
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 follow us on social media.
