LOCAL

Blood emergency: Red Cross issues urgent call for blood, platelet donors

Staff report

MANSFIELD - Following a difficult Fourth of July week for blood and platelet donations and ongoing challenges finding new blood donors, the American Red Cross now faces a blood shortage. The Red Cross has issued an emergency call for eligible individuals of all blood types to donate and prevent delays in medical care.

About 450 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups during the holiday week than during a typical week. This led to about 17,000 fewer blood donations than needed for patients in a single week, causing the Red Cross to now have less than a three-day supply of most blood types available — and less than a two-day supply of type O blood — for patients.

“Medical emergencies and critical treatments don’t stop for holiday celebrations. Patients depend on lifesaving blood transfusions every day,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager for Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services. “Right now, the Red Cross only has less than a three-day supply when we need a five-day supply to be prepared for all situations that require blood products.”

Upcoming local blood drives

• 1 to 7 p.m. July 17 at Richland Mall, Ontario.

• 1 to 7 p.m. July 21 at Richland Mall, Ontario.

• 1 to 6 p.m. July 23 at Crossroads Community Church, 1188 Park Ave West, Mansfield.

• 1 to 7 p.m. July 24 at Richland Mall, Ontario.

• Noon to 6 p.m. July 25 at Pioneer Career and Technology Center, 27 Ryan Road, Shelby.

• 3 to 9 p.m. July 26 at Mohican Wood Products, 20460 Nunda Road, Butler.

• Noon to 6 p.m. July 26 at The Avenue Church, 1756 Park Avenue West, Ontario.

• 1 to 7 p.m. July 26 at Blooming Grove Township Community Blood Drive, 466 Ohio 603, Shiloh.

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 27 at Shelby Police Department, 31 Mack Ave., Shelby.

• Noon to 5 p.m. July 30 at Berean Baptist Church, 2145 Middle Bellville Road, Mansfield.

• 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 31 at Richland Mall, Ontario.

To make an appointment to donate, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-733-2767. For details about hosting or sponsoring a blood drive, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.