Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Critical blood shortage prompts emergency call for donations

SAN DIEGO COUNTY – The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now and help save lives.

Blood donations have fallen short of expectations for the past two months, resulting in about 61,000 fewer donations than needed and causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply. The shortfall is the equivalent of the Red Cross not collecting any blood donations for more than four days.

The next chance for residents to donate blood in Fallbrook is Friday, July 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Road.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

New donors and those who haven’t given in a while are especially encouraged to roll up a sleeve and help save lives. Nearly one-third fewer new blood donors came out to give last summer than during the rest of the year due in part to schools – where blood drives are held and where new donors give – being out of session during the summer months.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/29/2024 01:54