American Red Cross pleads for healthy people to donate blood

Blood centers across the US, including the American Red Cross, are suffering from a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

External Communications Manager Laura McGuire reports, "As of March 23rd, about 7,000 Red Cross blood drives have been cancelled across the country, resulting in more than 200,000 fewer blood donations."

In the state of Iowa alone, a total of 61 Red Cross blood drives have been cancelled. This means there were 2,057 fewer blood donations.

McGuire says, "Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood."

If healthy folks are looking for a bit of good news, here it is: your chance to help is now. The Red Cross has three different blood drives scheduled for Decorah in the upcoming weeks. As of right now, there will be Red Cross blood drives on April 10th, April 27th, and May 8th. McGuire reports, "More than 80% of the blood the Red Cross collects comes from drives held at locations of this type."

On April 10th from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., the Red Cross will be collecting blood donations at St. Benedict Parish Hall at 307 W Main Street in Decorah.  Details of the other blood drives will be posted as the date gets closer.

McGuire reminds donors, "Donating blood is a safe process, and we have implemented additional precautions to ensure blood drives and donation centers are even safer for our donors and staff."

To schedule an appointment with the Red Cross for any of the upcoming blood drives, visit their website or call (800)-RED-CROSS.  Updates of any cancellations or postponements of these scheduled blood drives will be posted here.