BIRMINGHAM — A few missing letters may not seem like a big deal. For a hospital patient who needs type A, B or O blood, these letters mean life. That’s why the American Red Cross is urging new donors and those who haven’t given in a while to fill the missing types this summer by donating to help ensure blood remains available for patients.
The Red Cross launched its Missing Types campaign earlier this summer with a goal of bringing awareness to the great need for new blood donors in order to reverse a declining donor population. For the past four years, new Red Cross blood donors have declined by about 80,000 each year. This is not just a Red Cross trend, but a challenge blood collection organizations face across the country and around the world.
“When not enough people donate blood, hospital shelves may be empty when a critical patient arrives,” said Mario Sedlock, director of donor recruitment of the Alabama & Central Gulfcoast Red Cross Blood Services Region. “Imagine if someone you love needed a blood type that was missing from hospital shelves. More blood donors are needed now to fill those gaps.”
Many people underestimate how frequently blood is needed, but the fact is that every two seconds someone in this country needs blood. When blood products aren’t available in emergency situations or those undergoing lifesaving treatments, patients like Jacqueline Rogers do notice.
Make an appointment to give blood and platelets by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Calhoun County
Oxford
6/18/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Oxford Civic Center, 401 McCullars Ln
6/27/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Quintard Mall, 700 Quintard Drive
Chilton County
Clanton
6/22/2018: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., St. Vincent’s Chilton, 2030 Lay Dam Road
Clay County
Lineville
6/13/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Lineville Health and Rehab, 88073 Hwy 9
Cullman County
6/11/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Walmart Cullman RSMO, 626 Olive Street
Etowah County
Gadsden
6/20/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, 827 Forrest Avenue
6/22/2018: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Gadsden Regional Medical Center, 1007 Goodyear Avenue
6/29/2018: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Gadsden Mall Premiere Cinemas, Premiere Cinemas 16, 1001 Rainbow Drive
6/30/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Premiere Cinemas 16, 1001 Rainbow Drive
Jefferson County
Birmingham
6/11/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/12/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Birmingham Fire Western Fitness Center, 4712 Avenue W
6/12/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/13/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Birmingham Fire Western Fitness Center, 4712 Avenue W
6/13/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/13/2018: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Hill University Center, 1400 University Blvd
6/14/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., UAB Facilities, 608 8th Street South
6/14/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Birmingham Fire Western Fitness Center, 4712 Avenue W
6/14/2018: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center, 1802 6th Ave South
6/14/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/15/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/15/2018: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue South
6/18/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/19/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., University Center, 800 Lakeshore Drive
6/19/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/20/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mayer Electric Supply Co., 3405 4th Avenue South
6/20/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/21/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/22/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/25/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/26/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/27/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/26/2018: 1 p.m. – 8 p.m., Regions Field, 1400 1st Ave S
6/28/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
6/29/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., UAB Medical Center – North Pavilion, 1802 6th Ave S
Homewood
6/13/2018: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Trak Shak, 2839 18th Street South
Warrior
6/12/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Alliance Specialty Motors, 645 Lester Doss Rd
Shelby County
Birmingham – Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace (unless noted)
6/10/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
6/11/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 8 p.m.
6/12/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
6/13/2018: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
6/15/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
6/16/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
6/17/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
6/18/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 8 p.m.
6/19/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
6/20/2018: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
6/22/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
6/22/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., PGA Superstore, Inverness Shopping Center, 165 Inverness Plaza A
6/23/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
6/24/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
6/25/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 8 p.m.
6/26/2018: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
6/27/2018: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
6/29/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
6/30/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
7/1/2018: 7:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Pelham
6/27/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Summer Classics, 3140 Pelham Pkwy, #600
Tuscaloosa County
Tuscaloosa – University Mall, 1701 East McFarland Blvd (unless noted)
6/11/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
6/15/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 605 Lurleen B. Wallace Blvd.
6/18/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
6/19/2018: 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
6/19/2018: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
6/20/2018: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Holy Spirit Catholic School Booster, 601 James I. Harrison, JR. Pkwy East
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
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.