Red Cross in urgent need of C.O. blood donors

The American Red Cross has an emergency need for blood and platelet donations. The non-profit supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood, and they say they’re running short.

Red Cross officials in Bend said there have been a variety of factors leading up to the blood shortage. Donations typically slow down around the holidays, in November and December. Usually, the Red Cross is able to make up for the slow donations around the holidays in January, but this year they haven’t been able to recover.

As a result, local heroes are in high demand.

“Blood types O negative and O positive are at the lowest levels I’ve ever seen,” said donor recruitment manager Jennifer Shaw.

The Red Cross is asking eligible donors to roll up their sleeves and give blood.

Recent storms hitting the East Coast forced the Red Cross to cancel hundreds of blood drives, further depleting an already low supply. About 9,500 expected units of blood went uncollected over the weekend.

Donors who give blood to the Red Cross in Central Oregon typically help supply 69 hospitals around the Pacific Northwest, but with the current increased demand, they are also stepping up to help the eastern states.

To boost collections, the Red Cross regional office in Bend is adding blood drives, increasing staff and extending hours.

“In Central Oregon, there’s a lot of opportunities” to give blood, Shaw said. “We generally have about three blood drives a day throughout the area,”

Despite the shortage, Shaw said it’s amazing to see so many generous people come out to give blood.

Bend volunteers on hand Monday said they enjoy being able to help others through blood donations.

“It’s one type of volunteering that you can do that’s relatively easy and much needed,” said Floy Sitts.

“It’s not that hard, it’s not scary, the people are really nice — and you get a juice to drink after or some Cheez-Its,” said donor Kurt Reynolds.

Blood donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

If current blood demands are not met, hospitals will have to start postponing elective surgeries. The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.

Blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.

If you would like to donate blood you must have a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities

Bend
1/26/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
1/27/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
1/28/2016: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hydro Flask, 561 NW York Ave
1/29/2016: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110
1/29/2016: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Deschutes Library East Side, 62080 Dean Swift Rd, #170
1/30/2016: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110

Redmond
1/29/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Redmond Police Department, 777 SW Deschutes Ave

Burns
1/26/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Holy Family Parish Hall, 620 N Egan
1/27/2016: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Holy Family Parish Hall, 620 N Egan