Advertisement
  • National News
  • State News
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • My Account
Subscribe For $2.50/month
Print Editions
News Journal
  • News
    • Local
    • Sports
    • School
    • Courthouse
      • Deeds
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Spiritual
    • Parabola
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Southern Baptist
  • eJournal
  • Legals
  • Classifieds
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Login
  • FAQ
No Result
View All Result
News Journal
No Result
View All Result
News Journal
No Result
View All Result

Red Cross issues emergency call for blood and platelet donations during severe shortage

Mountain Media, LLC by Mountain Media, LLC
January 9, 2017
in Local Stories
0
0
SHARES
8
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The American Red Cross has a severe winter blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for blood and platelet donors to make a donation appointment now and help save patient lives.

Hectic holiday schedules for many regular blood donors contributed to about 37,000 fewer donations in November and December than what was needed.

Snowstorms and severe weather have also impacted donations. Nearly 100 blood drives were forced to cancel in December, resulting in more than 3,100 blood donations going uncollected.

“Blood and platelet donations are critically needed in the coming days so that patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they are counting on,” said Bernadette Jay, external communications manager of the local Red Cross Blood Services Region.

“We encourage donors to invite a family member or friend to donate with them to help meet patient needs. Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in,” Jay said.

How to help

Find a blood donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites for more donors to give blood or platelets. Overall, the Red Cross has added nearly 200 hours to blood donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help speed up the donation process.

“In about an hour, you can help save someone’s life. This simple act can have a profound impact on another human being,” said Jay.

Who blood donations help

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all require blood to save their lives.

The treatments high school freshman Payton Kannarr receives to fight leukemia cause her blood counts to drop. She currently receives platelet transfusions weekly and red blood cells about every two weeks.

“We have seen firsthand the incredible need for blood products as we have been on this four-year roller coaster journey,” said Amy Kannarr, Payton’s mom. “Through the care and compassion of donors, Payton has been able to enjoy life as a teenager.”

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Blacksburg

Jan. 10: 12-6 p.m., New River Valley Blood Donation Center, 250 South Main St.

Jan. 11: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Virginia Tech Hokie Wellness, 142 McComas Hall

Jan. 16: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., New River Valley Blood Donation Center, 250 South Main St.

Jan. 17: 8:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m., New River Valley Blood Donation Center, 250 South Main St.

Jan. 18: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., New River Valley Blood Donation Center, 250 South Main St.

Jan. 20: 8:45 a.m.-12 p.m., New River Valley Blood Donation Center, 250 South Main St.

Jan. 21: 8:45 a.m.-12 p.m., New River Valley Blood Donation Center, 250 South Main St.

Jan. 21: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, 510 Porter Street

Jan. 22: 8:45 a.m.-12 p.m., New River Valley Blood Donation Center, 250 South Main St.

— Submitted by Bernadette Jay

Sign up to our newsletters

Enter your email address to join our newsletters.

You will receive a confirmation email for your subscription. Please check your inbox and spam folder to complete the confirmation process.
Some fields are missing or incorrect!
Lists
Previous Post

Boland, Jodi Gray

Next Post

Radford University seeks community input on economic development and partnerships

Next Post

Radford University seeks community input on economic development and partnerships

News Journal

Navigate Site

  • News
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Spiritual
  • eJournal
  • Legals
  • Classifieds
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Login
  • FAQ

Follow Us

  • Login
Forgot Password?
Lost your password? Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.
body::-webkit-scrollbar { width: 7px; } body::-webkit-scrollbar-track { border-radius: 10px; background: #f0f0f0; } body::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { border-radius: 50px; background: #dfdbdb }
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Local
    • Sports
    • School
    • Courthouse
      • Deeds
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Spiritual
    • Parabola
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Southern Baptist
  • eJournal
  • Legals
  • Classifieds
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Login
  • FAQ