Blood shortage on Central Coast prompts call for donors
The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors of all blood types, as they are experiencing a winter blood donation shortage.
Red Cross officials say severe winter weather has had a tremendous impact on blood donations already this year, with more than 150 blood drives forced to cancel causing over 5,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This is in addition to seasonal illnesses, such as the flu, and hectic holiday schedules collectively contributing to more than 28,000 fewer donations than what was needed in November and December.
“Even temporary disruptions to blood and platelet donations can diminish the availability for hospital patients,” said Clifford Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “It’s the blood on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency, and that’s why we’re asking eligible individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets today.”
While serving local hospitals is the first priority, the Red Cross can move blood products to where they’re needed most. This allows donors throughout the country to contribute to the national blood supply and potentially help patients locally and in storm-affected areas.
While all blood types are urgently needed, there is a more critical need for the following blood and donation types right now:
Platelets: The clotting portion of blood primarily given to cancer patients during treatment and always in great demand. Type O negative: The blood type that can be transfused to almost everyone and is what doctors reach for in trauma situations. Type B negative: The blood type that can be transfused to type B Rh-positive and negative patients. Type AB: The plasma type that can be transfused to almost everyone.
The following are upcoming blood donation opportunities between January 8th-31st
Carmel
1/10/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Church of the Wayfarer, Lincoln St. & 7th Ave.
King City
1/27/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Rec Center, 401 Division Street
Monterey
1/26/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Capital Insurance Group, 2300 Garden Road
Salinas
1/8/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Compass Church, 830 Padre Dr.
1/20/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Northridge Mall, 796 Northridge Mall
Santa Cruz
Aptos
1/12/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Twin Lakes Church, 2701 Cabrillo College Dr.
Capitola
1/16/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., New Leaf Community Market – Capitola, 1210 41st Ave.
Felton
1/19/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Felton Presbyterian Church, 6090 Highway 9
Santa Cruz
1/9/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Santa Cruz Fire Station No. 1, 711 Center St.
1/17/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk Street
1/30/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.
Watsonville
1/10/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., West Marine Building, 500 Westridge Drive
1/15/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Pajaro Valley Health Trust Hall, 85 Nielson Street
1/29/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Pajaro Valley Health Trust Hall, 85 Nielson Street
