CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The American Red Cross is putting out an urgent call for blood donations after a holiday week that saw more than 500 fewer blood drives in the region.
Erica Mani, regional chief executive officer for the Central West Virginia Chapter of the Red Cross, said Monday the organization finds itself in a critical situation.
“Following the 4th of July week and weekend, plus the summer, plus the shortage we’ve been seeing as a trend over the last years with fewer donors, we just find ourselves in a critical spot right now,” she said.
According to a Red Cross news release, “This need is especially critical for type O blood donors. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations. Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.”
Mani said all types are needed.
“We find ourselves asking everyone, no matter what blood type they are, to please consider going out to redcrossblood.org and find a drive near them or call us at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).”
Mani said it only takes about an hour to donate blood and that process can go even faster with the organization’s RapidPass online option.
“That way all of the questions are pre-answered and your paperwork is done in advance. That can speed up your experience at the blood drive,” Mani said.
The current Red Cross blood drive schedule includes:
Boone
Madison
7/21/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Madison Fire Department, 1 Firehouse Square
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Braxton
Sutton
7/10/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Braxton County Senior Citizen Center, 23 Senior Center Drive
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Cabell
Barboursville
7/26/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Barboursville Village Hall, 721 Central Avenue, P. O. Box 266
Huntington
7/9/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Huntington Blood Donation Center, 1111 Veterans Memorial Blvd
7/14/2018: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, 1135 5th Avenue
7/16/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Huntington Blood Donation Center, 1111 Veterans Memorial Blvd
7/23/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Huntington Blood Donation Center, 1111 Veterans Memorial Blvd
7/30/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Huntington Blood Donation Center, 1111 Veterans Memorial Blvd
Lesage
7/28/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Cox Landing United Methodist Church, Cox Landing United Methodist Church, 5995 cox landing road
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Calhoun
Arnoldsburg
7/16/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Arnoldsburg Elementary School, 90 Spring Run Rd
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Jackson
Ripley
7/12/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Calvary UMC, 205 Court Street
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Kanawha
Charleston
7/12/2018: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., American Red Cross West Virginia Region, 113 Lakeview Drive
7/13/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Mardi Gras Casino and Resort, 1 Greyhound Drive
7/17/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., CAMC Women & Childrens, 800 Pennsylvania Ave
7/18/2018: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Jackson Kelly Laidley Tower, 500 Lee Street
7/20/2018: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Voter’s Registration Office, 415 Quarrier Street
7/24/2018: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., CAMC General, Morris Street
7/25/2018: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Bible Center Church, 1111 Oakhurst Drive
7/26/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Charleston Newspapers, 1001 Virginia Street East
7/26/2018: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Marriott Hotel, 200 Lee Street East
7/30/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Embassy Suites, 300 Court Street
7/30/2018: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Hospice Care, 1606 Kanawha Blvd West
7/31/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Department of Environmental Protection, 601 57th Street SE
Pratt
7/9/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Pratt Town Hall, 200 Center Street
South Charleston
7/16/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., South Charleston Community Center, 601 Jefferson Road
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Lincoln
West Hamlin
7/24/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., West Hamlin Elementary, 114 Dairy Road
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Logan
Chapmanville
7/10/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Chapmanville High School, 200 Vance Street
Logan
7/12/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Logan Elementary School, 18 Wildcat Way
Mallory
7/11/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Man Elementary, 1 Pioneer Path, P. O. Box 269
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Mason
Point Pleasant
7/18/2018: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Pleasant Valley Hospital Wellness Center, 2520 Valley Drive
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Mingo
Williamson
7/10/2018: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Riverside Elementary, 5 Parkway Drive
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Putnam
Buffalo
7/23/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Buffalo VFD, 19229 Buffalo Road
Hurricane
7/17/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Timothy’s In-The-Valley Episcopal Church, 3434 Teays Valley Road
Winfield
7/16/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Winfield Church of the Nazarene, 10822 Winfield Road
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Roane
Spencer
7/18/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Heritage Park Community Bldg, 110 Church St
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Wayne
Huntington
7/19/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., VA Rec Hall – HUNTINGTON, 1540 Spring Valley Drive
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Wood
Parkersburg
7/13/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Parkersburg Blood Donation Center, 3210 Dudley Ave
7/20/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Parkersburg Blood Donation Center, 3210 Dudley Ave
7/24/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Saint Margaret Mary Church, 2500 Dudley Ave
7/26/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Parkersburg Blood Donation Center, 3210 Dudley Ave
7/27/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Parkersburg Blood Donation Center, 3210 Dudley Ave
7/31/2018: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., American National University, 110 Park Center Drive
Vienna
7/20/2018: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., MID OHIO VALLEY MEDICAL GROUP, 800 Grand Central Mall