Emergency Blood Shortage Persists as Patient Needs Continue Over Holiday Season

As a result of low blood donor turnout in recent months, the Red Cross is heading into the holidays with its lowest blood supply in more than a decade at this time of year. The ongoing effects of COVID-19 and a summer spike in delta variant cases significantly challenged the nation’s blood supply heading into the fall. The pandemic also resulted in fewer blood drives at schools and colleges, contributing to a 34% drop in new blood donors from last year − one of the largest year-to-year decreases and one that could threaten essential medical care for patients. Locally, the Indiana Red Cross Region has experienced more than a 18 percent decrease in new blood donors this year. 

Don’t wait. Humanity needs you to help patients enjoy all the holiday season has to offer. Make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

As a thank-you, all those who come to give Nov. 29-Dec. 16 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a private screening for the winner and 50 of their guests of the epic new film The Matrix Resurrections. Plus, those who come to give Nov. 29-Dec. 16 will also get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon.* 

Those who share the warmth and make a blood donation part of their Thanksgiving plans Nov. 24-28 will receive an exclusive pair of Red Cross holiday socks, while supplies last.

 Upcoming blood donation opportunities 

Nov. 22-Dec. 16: 

Washington 12/7/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Free Methodist Church, 1155 Troy Road 

 Celestine 12/12/2021: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., St Celestine Catholic Church, 6864 East State Road 164 

Holland 12/10/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Holland United Methodist Church, 205 N. 2nd Avenue 

Jasper 

11/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Jasper Library, 100 Third avenue 

11/26/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Memorial Hospital Medical Arts Building, 721 West 13th Street 

12/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Moose Lodge 1175, 2507 Newton Street Saint Anthony 12/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St Anthony Community Center, 4665 S Cross St 

Haubstadt 12/9/2021: 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus Council 2215, 117 S. Main St. 

Princeton 12/8/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Toyota Event Center, 709 North Embree Street 

12/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Bethel Memorial Church, 1520 S Main St 

Tell City 12/7/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Tell City, 8480 Dauby Ln 

12/15/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Schergens Center, 1140 31st Street 

Mount Vernon 12/5/2021: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., St. Matthews Catholic Church, 421 Mulberry Street 

Chrisney 11/29/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Spencer County 4-H Youth and Community Center, Junction of Hwy 231 and 70 

Rockport 12/3/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bethel Christian Center, 996 N. Reo Drive 

 Saint Meinrad 12/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 200 Hill Drive