Severe weather forces blood drive cancellations causing thousands of donations to go uncollected

This January, National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors of all blood types to make an appointment to give now and help address a winter blood donation shortage.

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.

In Massachusetts, 25 blood drives were forced to cancel due to last week’s winter storm, causing 681 donations to go uncollected.

“Even temporary disruptions to blood and platelet donations can diminish the availability for hospital patients,” said Kelly Isenor, External Communications Manager of the Massachusetts Red Cross Blood Services Region “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 generous 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 and can be donated through a platelet or plasma donation, where available, or during a regular blood donation.

How to help

Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, by visiting redcrossblood.org/rapidpass from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.

Who blood donations help

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood – a need that is all too real for Heather Hrouda and her family. Hrouda was 25 weeks pregnant with her fourth child when she began bleeding. An emergency cesarean section was performed, but Hrouda hemorrhaged during surgery. She received 14 units of blood and seven units of plasma before she and her newborn son, Rusher, were flown to a nearby hospital. There, she received additional transfusions, and Rusher was moved to the neonatal intensive care unit, where he also received a blood transfusion to increase his red blood cell count.

“My family and I are so thankful for all the blood donors,” said Hrouda. “It is safe to say that without their time and donations, Rusher and I would not be here today. Because of donors, I get to watch my kids grow up and become the adults they dream of being.”

The Hroudas are just two examples of the many patients who depend on blood and platelet donors. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all require blood to save their lives. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood donations every day for patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 8-31

Middlesex

Acton
1/8/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Rd

Arlington
1/10/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Arlington Knights of Columbus, 15 Winslow Street

Ayer
1/15/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 31 Andrews Parkway

Bedford
1/29/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion Post 221, 357 Great Road
1/8/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bedford High School, 9 Mudge Way
1/8/2018: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Bedford High School, 9 Mudge Way
1/9/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., V.A. Hospital Building 80, 200 Springs Road

Belmont
1/8/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., All Saints Church, 17 Clark Street

Burlington
1/16/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion Burlington, 162 Winn St.
1/16/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lahey Clinic, 41 Mall Road
1/23/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion Burlington, 162 Winn St.
1/25/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nuance, One Wayside Drive
1/30/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion Burlington, 162 Winn St.
1/9/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion Burlington, 162 Winn St.

Cambridge
1/12/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Whole Foods Cambridge, 340 River Steet
1/15/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Cambridge Masonic Lodge, 1950 Massachusetts Ave.
1/25/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., One Kendall Square Bldg 600, One Kendall Square

East Pepperell
1/9/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., VFW, 55 Leighton Street – Route 113

Framingham
1/11/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Framingham Plymouth Church, 87 Edgell Road
1/13/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Boston Church of Christ, 214 Concord St.
1/25/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Framingham Plymouth Church, 87 Edgell Road

Groton
1/29/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Union Congregational Church, 220 Main Street

Holliston
1/20/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Saint Marys Parish, 8 Church St.

Hopkinton
1/15/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Hopkinton Middle School, 88 Hayden Rowe St.
1/30/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Faith Community Church, 146 East Main St.

Lexington
1/10/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 177 Bedford Street
1/17/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 177 Bedford Street
1/17/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Road

Lincoln
1/24/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Brooks Middle School, 6 Ballfield Rd

Littleton
1/26/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Acton Toyota of Littleton, 221 Great Road

Lowell
1/15/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Stephen’s MLK Day, 279 W 6th St.
1/31/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., University of Massachusetts, 81 University Ave

Malden
1/22/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saint Joseph’s Church, 790 Salem Street

Marlboro
1/10/2018: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Marlboro Masonic Hall, 8 Newton Street
1/24/2018: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Marlboro Masonic Hall, 8 Newton Street

Marlborough
1/15/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Embassy Suites by Hilton, 123 Boston Post Rd West
1/19/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Western Digital, 200 Donald Lynch Blv

Medford
1/16/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lumiere Apartments, 3780 Mystic Valley Pkwy

Melrose
1/22/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., VFW, 428 Main Street

Natick
1/8/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Natick Community Senior Center, 117 East Central St.

Newton
1/17/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St
1/29/2018: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Newton-Wellesley Hospital Bowles Conference Center, 2014 Washington St.

North Billerica
1/27/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 14 Treble Cove Rd

North Chelmsford
1/23/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. John the Evangelist Church, 115 Middlesex Street

Reading
1/31/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Good Samaritan Lodge, AF & AM, 110 Haven Street

Somerville
1/17/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Somerville Armory, 191 Highland Avenue

Tewksbury
1/25/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Masonic Hall, 70 Victor Drive
1/26/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tewksbury Hospital, 365 East Street

Wakefield
1/11/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hobbs Brook Management, 701 Edgewater Dr
1/13/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wakefield Masonic Building, 370 Salem Street
1/19/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, One Church Street

Waltham
1/11/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Embassy Suites Hotel, 550 Winter Street
1/15/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted School, 920 Trapelo Road
1/25/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., CBRE/New England, 200 Fifth Avenue
1/29/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 404 Wyman Street, 404 Wyman Street

Watertown
1/14/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Watertown Police Department, 552 Main Street

Winchester
1/11/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Temple Shir Tikvah, 34 Vine Street
1/11/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saint Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge Street

Woburn
1/21/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Red Robin Woburn, 369 Washington Street
1/26/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, 700 Unicorn Park Drive

For the 11th year, the American Red Cross and Dunkin’ Donuts are partnering in January to help increase donations and reward generous donors. Through the Dunkin’ Donors Make a Difference campaign, all those who come to give blood or platelets in January at Red Cross blood drives in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and parts of New York will receive a $5 DD Card*. The DD Card can be used toward the purchase of any item at participating Dunkin’ Donuts – including coffee, hot chocolate and baked goods, among other items. In addition, the DD Card features a Red Cross logo, is reloadable and can also be enrolled in the DD Perks® Rewards program.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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.