American Red Cross continues to seek donations during supply shortage

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The American Red Cross is still experiencing an emergency blood and platelet shortage that has caused the blood supply to drop to the lowest post-summer level in at least six years.

Officials say blood donor turnout decreased by about 10% as summer came to an end. While donations have dropped, hospital demand for blood remains strong.

Donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to help meet the needs of patients this fall.

Officials add that fall is typically a time when the blood supply rebounds from summer blood shortages, but a surge in COVID-19 cases across the U.S. due to the delta variant has contributed to the lowest donor turnout of the year.

To shore up inventory, the Red Cross must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week this month to meet hospital and patient needs.

Incentives are available this month for those who donate, and more information can be found here.

A list of events in the Kalamazoo area can be found below.

• 10/12/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., St Andrew Community Church, 3631 Covington
• 10/12/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Haven Reformed Church, 5350 N. Sprinkle Road
• 10/14/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
• 10/18/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Westwood United Methodist Church, 538 Nichols Road
• 10/21/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
• 10/27/2021: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Northbridge Community Baptist Church, 8824 Douglas Ave
• 10/27/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
• 10/28/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Drive
• 11/2/2021: 12 p.m. – 4:45 p.m., Kalamazoo College, 1200 Academy Street
• 11/4/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Galilee Baptist Church, 1216 N. Westnedge
• 11/4/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
• 11/8/2021: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., American Red Cross, 5640 Venture Ct.
• 11/10/2021: 11 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., The Wesley Foundation of Kalamazoo, 2350 Ring Rd North

Galesburg:

• 10/20/2021: 9 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Bell's Brewery, Inc, 8938 Krum Ave
• 11/5/2021: 7 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Galesburg Augusta High School, 1076 N. 37th Street

Parchment:

• 10/11/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Parchment United Methodist Church, 225 Glendale

Portage:

• 10/11/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., First Reformed Church of Portage, 7905 S. Westnedge Avenue
• 10/16/2021: 10:15 a.m. – 4 p.m., Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 7028 Oakland Drive
• 10/21/2021: 1 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Renovation Church, 1715 W. Centre
• 10/27/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m., The Crossroads Mall, 6650 South Westnedge Ave.
• 10/28/2021: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Oakland Drive Christian Church, 7331 Oakland Drive

Richland:

• 10/20/2021: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Presbyterian Church, 8047 Church Street

Vicksburg:

• 11/12/2021: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 5855 East W. Ave

Information about donation events in other areas, as well as information on how to make an appointment, can be found at the official Red Cross website.