This January, National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors of all blood types to make an appointment to give now and help address a winter blood donation shortage.

Severe winter weather has had a tremendous impact on blood donations already this year, with more than 150 blood drives forced to cancel causing over 5,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. This is in addition to seasonal illnesses, such as the flu, and hectic holiday schedules collectively contributing to more than 28,000 fewer donations than what was needed in November and December.

While serving local hospitals is the first priority, the Red Cross can move blood products to where they’re needed most. This allows generous donors throughout the country to contribute to the national blood supply and potentially help patients locally and in storm-affected areas.

While all blood types are urgently needed, there is a more critical need for the following blood and donation types right now:

● Platelets: The clotting portion of blood primarily given to cancer patients during treatment and always in great demand.

● Type O negative: The blood type that can be transfused to almost everyone and is what doctors reach for in trauma situations.

● Type B negative: The blood type that can be transfused to type B Rh-positive and negative patients.

● Type AB: The plasma type that can be transfused to almost everyone and can be donated through a platelet or plasma donation, where available, or during a regular blood donation.

How to help

Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, by visiting redcrossblood.org/rapidpass from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.

– submitted by Maya Franklin

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Jan. 15, 12:30 – 5 p.m., Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 150 Melrose Avenue, Tryon

Jan. 16, 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton, 246 North Main Street, Rutherfordton