Red Cross: Urgent need for blood donations as hospital demand increases

T-shirts, $5 Amazon.com Gift Cards offered to thank all those who come to give

(May 27, 2020) — The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid this rapidly changing and complex public health crisis. At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed. Donors are needed to make and keep scheduled appointments to help meet the current need.

All those who come to give through May 31 will receive a special Red Cross T-shirt by mail, while supplies last. And thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.*

“Blood donors have played a vital role in the lives of patients who have needed lifesaving transfusions during this pandemic, and patients continue to depend on donors each and every day,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “The Red Cross appreciates the support of those who rolled up a sleeve to give in recent months, but the need doesn’t stop. We need the public’s help to avoid another blood shortage this summer.”

It’s important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. So, they must constantly be replenished. There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.

Blood drive safety precautions

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

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Upcoming blood donation opportunities, May 27-June 15: 

Cook County

Berwyn

• 6/1/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., PAV YMCA, 2947 Oak Park Ave
• 6/12/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., PAV YMCA, 2947 Oak Park Ave

Chicago

• 5/27/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., 150 N Riverside Plaza, 150 N. Riverside Plaza
• 5/27/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and Northern Illinois, 2200 West Harrison Street
• 5/29/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Red Cross Chicago Chapter, 2200 West Harrison Street
• 6/3/2020: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and Northern Illinois, 2200 West Harrison Street
• 6/7/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., St Matthias, 4910 N. Claremont
• 6/8/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave
• 6/10/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr
• 6/10/2020: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., High Ridge YMCA, 2424 W Touhy Ave
• 6/11/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr
• 6/15/2020: 11:45 a.m. – 7 p.m., Chicago Blood Donation Center, 2200 W Harrison
• 6/16/2020: 11:45 a.m. – 7 p.m., Chicago Blood Donation Center, 2200 W Harrison
• 6/17/2020: 11:45 a.m. – 7 p.m., Chicago Blood Donation Center, 2200 W Harrison
• 6/19/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Chicago Blood Donation Center, 2200 W Harrison
• 6/20/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Chicago Blood Donation Center, 2200 W Harrison
• 6/22/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and Northern Illinois, 2200 West Harrison Street
• 6/22/2020: 11:45 a.m. – 7 p.m., Chicago Blood Donation Center, 2200 W Harrison
• 6/23/2020: 11:45 a.m. – 7 p.m., Chicago Blood Donation Center, 2200 W Harrison
• 6/24/2020: 11:45 a.m. – 7 p.m., Chicago Blood Donation Center, 2200 W Harrison
• 6/24/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 11107 S. Vincennes
• 6/24/2020: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Apostolic Faith Church, 3823 S. Indiana Avenue
• 6/26/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Chicago Blood Donation Center, 2200 W Harrison
• 6/27/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m., Chicago Blood Donation Center, 2200 W Harrison

Glencoe

• 6/11/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Rd

Lincolnwood

• 6/18/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Lincolnwood Town Center, 3333 W Touhy Ave

Melrose Park

• 6/19/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Navistar, 10400 West North Avenue

Northbrook

• 6/9/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., North Suburban YMCA, 2705 Techny Rd
• 6/21/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Crowne Plaza, 2875 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Oak Park

• 6/18/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Oak Park Temple, 1235 N. Harlem Ave

Orland Park

• 6/14/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Orland Township Activity Center, 14807 S Ravinia Ave

Winnetka

• 5/28/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Avenue

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DuPage  County

Downers Grove

• 5/28/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, 3551 Highland Avenue

Elmhurst

• 5/31/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Elmhurst YMCA of Metro Chicago, 211 W. First Street

Oak Brook

• 6/15/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Le Meridien Chicago Oak Brook Center, 2100 Spring Road

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Grundy  County

Minooka

• 5/29/2020: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Towneplace Suites by Marriott, 630 Bob Blair Rd.

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Iroquois  County

Ashkum

• 6/16/2020: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Ashkum Coliseum, 117 E Main St
• 6/16/2020: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Ashkum Coliseum, 117 E Main St

Watseka

• 6/25/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Legion Post 23, South 4th St.

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Kankakee  County

Bourbonnais

• 5/28/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Annex, 1690 Newtowne Dr
• 6/4/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Annex, 1690 Newtowne Dr
• 6/11/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Annex, 1690 Newtowne Dr
• 6/18/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Annex, 1690 Newtowne Dr
• 6/25/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Annex, 1690 Newtowne Dr

Kankakee

• 6/22/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Riverside Medical Center, 350 N. Wall

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Lake  County

Antioch

• 6/22/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., VFW Post 4551, 75 North Ave.

Bannockburn

• 6/1/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., North Shore Unitarian Church, 2100 Half Day Road

Buffalo Grove

• 6/12/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Community Service Building, 2900 North Main Street

Grayslake

• 6/5/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., St Andrew Episcopal Church, 31 Park Ave

Lake Forest

• 6/1/2020: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Gorton Community Center, 400 E Illinois Rd

Vernon Hills

• 6/2/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Christ Church Vernon Hills, 480 E. Ring Dr.
• 6/26/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Christ Church Vernon Hills, 480 E. Ring Dr.

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Will  County

Mokena

• 6/3/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Parker Road Bible Church, 18512 Parker Road

Romeoville

• 5/28/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Village of Romeoville Athletic and Event Center, 55 Phelps Ave
• 6/17/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Romeoville Recreation Center, 900 W Romeo Rd
• 6/25/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Romeoville Recreation Center, 900 W Romeo Rd

About blood donation

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

* Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.