The Red Cross is urging residents to consider blood and platelet donation to help fight the potential impact of seasonal illnesses and a potentially severe flu season.
The CDC is predicting a serious spread of flu this year and has already reported an early spike in cases in several states. When seasonal illnesses increase, the number of healthy blood and platelet donors tends to decrease. This leaves the Red Cross blood supply vulnerable to a potential shortage over the holidays, making it difficult to collect the blood that hospital patients require over the winter months.
Donors (especially those with Type O blood and those giving platelets) can help bolster the blood supply now by making an appointment to give in the coming weeks.
You can donate by calling 1-800-733-2767. There are also several opportunities and incentives to do so from Nov. 16th – 30th:
- All who donate from now until Nov. 22nd will receive a 10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. More details at rcblood.org/perks.
- Those who donate during the Thanksgiving Holiday, Nov. 23rd-27th, will get a Red Cross knit beanie while supplies last
- All who donate between Nov. 28th-Dec. 15th will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email. More details at rcblood.org/Together.
For a list of blood drives and locations in Kansas, click here.
