THE FOLLOWING IS AN AMERICAN RED CROSS RELEASE
Donors urged to give now as nation faces lowest number of blood donors in decades
Donors have the chance to help save lives, win trip to Super Bowl LVIII
Jan. 8, 2024 — The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.
Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.
“One of the most distressing situations for a doctor is to have a hospital full of patients and an empty blood bank without any blood on the shelves. Doctors often can’t operate without blood available to make surgeries, medical procedures and treatments possible,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.”
Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 8-31:
Cass
Beardstown
1/23/2024: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Saint Johns Lutheran Church, 214 E 6th St
_______________
Champaign
Urbana
1/12/2024: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Urbana Rising Hope Church, 408 E. Illinois St
1/25/2024: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Illini Union, 1401 W Green St
_______________
Douglas
Atwood
1/25/2024: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., United Church of Atwood, 210 North Main Street
_______________
Edgar
Paris
1/22/2024: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., VFW, 601 W Court Street
_______________
Effingham
Effingham Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center
603 Eden Ave., Effingham, IL 62401
Sun Closed
Mon Closed
Tue 11:30AM – 7:30PM
Wed 11:30AM – 7:30PM
Thu 11:30AM – 7:30PM
Fri Closed
Sat 7AM – 3PM
_______________
Ford
Paxton
1/12/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Paxton First United Methodist Church, 210 W. Center St.
_______________
Macon
Argenta
1/31/2024: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Argenta Oreana High School, 500 North Main Street
Decatur
1/9/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Decatur Blood Donation Center, 2674 N. Main St
1/16/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Decatur Blood Donation Center, 2674 N. Main St
1/23/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Decatur Blood Donation Center, 2674 N. Main St
1/26/2024: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Passion Community Church, 4225 Camp Warren Ln,
1/30/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Decatur Blood Donation Center, 2674 N. Main St
Mount Zion
1/23/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, 400 North Whitetail Circle
Forsyth
1/26/2024: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hickory Point Christian Village, 565 W Marion Ave
_______________
Moultrie
Lovington
1/23/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Lovington Christian Church, 301 S County St.
Sullivan
1/9/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion, 8 East Strain
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.








