News Release

WARSAW – American Red Cross is hosting three blood drives, including one set for Monday, afternoon, Nov. 29.

Monday’s blood drive will be from noon to 6:00 p.m. at the Center Lake Pavilion.

Other dates and times include:

• Tuesday, Dec. 7 – Noon to 6:00 p.m. at the Center Lake Pavilion
• Wednesday, Dec. 22 – Noon to 6:00 p.m. at the Center Lake Pavilion. Donations made from Dec. 17 to Jan. 2 will be rewarded with a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, limited quantities available.

Those wanting to donate are asked to make an appointment by going to Rapid Pass online or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app. Face masks are required. 

Blood drives are becoming more and more important, according to a news release from the Red Cross.

Blood supplies are very low, for many reasons. Donor turnout dropped by 10% due to Covid-19, and blood product distribution has outpaced blood donations in recent weeks. About 10,000 additional blood products are needed each week for the next month to catch up with demand.

Platelets and all blood types are needed, particularly Type O blood. Type O supplies on hand are down to only one-half of the daily need, drastically below the ideal 5 day supply. Type O is the most transfused blood type, and Type O negative is the universal blood type, when time doesn’t allow blood-typing in emergency rooms. Platelets must be used within 5 days of donation, and are the clotting portion of blood. Nearly half of all platelet donations are given to cancer patients undergoing treatments.