BUFFALO, Sept. 11, 2023 — The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Hurricane Idalia further strained the blood supply with blood drive cancellations and reduced blood and platelet donations in affected areas.

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O blood donors to make an appointment to give now to ensure patients across the country continue to receive critical medical care.

When Idalia slammed into the Southeast – leading to widespread power outages, travel hazards and flooding – the storm also forced the cancellation of over a dozen blood drives and caused hundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This compounded a shortfall of about 30,000 donations in August. Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in.

The Red Cross needs blood and platelet donors now. Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

In thanks for helping rebuild the blood supply, all who come to give Sept. 1-18 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give throughout September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/RaceToGive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 11-30:

Allegany

Alfred

9/14/2023: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Alfred University, 1 Saxon Drive

Wellsville

9/13/2023: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Legion Post 702, 23 Jefferson Street

Cattaraugus

Franklinville

9/15/2023: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Franklinville Fire Hall, 75 North Main St

Olean

9/11/2023: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, St Stephens Episcopal Church, 109 South Barry Street

Salamanca

9/15/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Our Lady Peace-Holy Cross Church, 274 Broad St

Chautauqua

Dunkirk

9/18/2023: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Clarion Hotel Conference Center-Dunkirk, 30 Lake Shore Dr E

Jamestown

9/15/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Resource Center, 200 Dunham Avenue

Lakewood

9/28/2023: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Chautauqua Mall, 318 E Fairmount Ave.

Westfield

9/18/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Eason Hall, 23 Elm Street

Erie

Amherst

9/13/2023: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

9/20/2023: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

9/27/2023: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Boulevard Mall, 730 Alberta Drive

Buffalo

9/14/2023: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Veterans Affairs Hospital, 3495 Bailey Ave

9/19/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Delta Air Lines, 4200 Genesee St.

9/20/2023: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave

9/28/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Buffalo State University, LoRusso Alumni & Visitor Center, 667 Grant St

9/30/2023: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Johnnie B Wiley Pavilion, 1100 Jefferson Ave

Derby

9/20/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., American Legion Newcomb Long Post 928, 7353 Erie Rd

Grand Island

9/12/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Grand Island Fire Hall, Grand Island Fire Hall, 2275 Baseline Rd

Hamburg

9/23/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., All Saints Lutheran Church, 6065 South Park Ave

9/25/2023: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Hamburg Public Library, 102 Buffalo St

Lancaster

9/16/2023: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., St Mary’s Elementary School, 2 St Mary’s Hill

North Collins

9/21/2023: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., North Collins Senior Center, 11065 Gowanda State Rd

Orchard Park

9/27/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Orchard Park Community Activity Center, 4520 California Rd

Springville

9/20/2023: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Drive

Tonawanda

9/21/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Tonawanda Fire Department, Tonawanda Fire Hall, 44 William St

Genesee

Batavia

9/19/2023: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Rd

East Pembroke

9/21/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Maximilian, 2707 Angling Rd.

Oakfield

9/19/2023: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Oakfield Alabama High School, 7001 Lewiston Road, Route 63

Pavilion

9/11/2023: 1:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Pavilion Fire Department Recreation Hall, 11302 S Lake Rd

Stafford

9/23/2023: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Stafford Fire Department, 6153 Main Rd., Route 5

Niagara

Lewiston

9/22/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church, 505 Cayuga St

Lockport

9/12/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Dale Association Incorporated, 33 Ontario St.

9/18/2023: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Lockport Family YMCA, Lockport Family YMCA, 5833 Snyder Dr.

Newfane

9/25/2023: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Newfane Town Hall Community Center, 2737 Main Street

Niagara University

9/13/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Niagara University, Niagara University – Gallagher Center, 5795 Lewiston Rd

9/14/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Niagara University, Niagara University – Gallagher Center, 5795 Lewiston Rd

North Tonawanda

9/27/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Gratwick Fire Hose Co. #6, 110 Ward Rd

Sanborn

9/29/2023: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Niagara County Community College, 3111 Saunders Settlement Rd

Youngstown

9/26/2023: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Youngstown Fire Hall, 625 3rd St.

Orleans

Albion

9/26/2023: 12:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Albion Elks Lodge 1006, 428 W State St

9/29/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Orleans County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31

Kendall

9/22/2023: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kendall High School, 16887 Roosevelt Highway

Wyoming

Strykersville

9/14/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St Cecilia’s Church, St Cecilia’s 991 Centerline Rd

Warsaw

9/11/2023: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Warsaw Moose Club, 13 Frank St.

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month

One in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease. To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the Red Cross launched the Sickle Cell Initiative in 2021 to grow the number of blood donors who are Black and improve health outcomes for patients. Together

longtime and first-time blood donors are helping patients with sickle cell manage their symptoms and showing support for their community.

Joined by Blood is the initiative’s focus during Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September and continues through October. This year, the Red Cross is proud to partner with organizations focused on mentorship, including 100 Black Men of America, Inc.; Kier’s Hope Foundation, Inc.; historically Black colleges and universities and member organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council; as well as the Black Radio Hall of Fame and others, who are all showing up for patients with sickle cell by hosting blood drives. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood.

How to donate blood

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.

Amplify your impact − volunteer

A stable blood and platelet supply is critical to national preparedness. Additionally, as we are in the beginning of what is expected to be another active hurricane season, the Red Cross urges everyone to get ready now and consider becoming a volunteer to help people affected by the growing number of climate-driven disasters.

Support impacted communities by assisting at Red Cross shelters, using your professional skills as a licensed health care provider or becoming a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team. To learn more, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross