The Red Cross is facing an emergency blood, platelet shortage. How to donate in Centre County
The American Red Cross is continuing to experience an emergency blood and platelet shortage, according to a press release from the nonprofit. The shortage has caused the blood supply to drop to the lowest post-summer level in at least six years.
“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,” a press release stated.
By giving blood, donors are helping people across the county. As October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Red Cross reminds donors that blood donations are important to cancer patients undergoing treatment. Nearly 25% of the blood supply is used by cancer patients, the release states.
The Red Cross has recently experienced shortages of less than one day’s supply of certain blood types. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Additionally, several Red Cross blood drives are scheduled throughout Centre County during October. Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the standards of safety and infection control, the release states. Masks are required for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are able to donate blood, platelets or plasma after receiving it, the Red Cross website states. But knowing the manufacturer of the vaccine will be important in determining their blood donation eligibility. In most cases, there is no deferral time for those who received a COVID-19 vaccine as long as they are symptom free and feeling well at the time of donation, the website states.
Here are upcoming Red Cross Blood Drives in Centre County:
Centre Hall
- 1-6 p.m. Oct. 19, Centre Hall Lions Club, 153 Church St.
State College
- 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Oct. 21, State College Borough Building, 243 S. Allen St.
- noon-5:30 p.m. Oct. 21, Oakwood Presbyterian Church, 1865 Waddle Road
- 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 25, American Legion Nittany Post 245, 1950 Pine Hall Road
Spring Mills
- 1:30-7 p.m. Oct. 25, New Hope Lutheran Church, 119 Cobblestone Court
University Park
- 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Oct. 18, 329 Building, 329 Innovation Blvd.
- 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 26, the HUB, Pollock Road
- 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 27, the HUB
- 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 28, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries (ASI) Building
