Stock image, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — An emergency request for blood and platelet donations, issued by the American Red Cross earlier this month, continues and a critical blood shortage remains in place, according to Red Cross officials.

Eligible donors are being urged to give now to help ensure blood is available throughout the rest of the summer to meet the needs of patients. At times, blood and platelets are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which impacts the ability to rebuild the blood supply, officials said.

“The Red Cross continues to have an emergency need for blood and platelet donors to give now and help save patient lives,” Tammy Nakamura, external communications manager of the Lewis & Clark Blood Services Region, said. “We are grateful for those who have already stepped up this summer to give and want to remind those who are eligible that hospital patients are still counting on them to roll up a sleeve.”

Right now, the Red Cross has less than a five-day blood supply on hand. The Red Cross strives to have a five-day supply at all times to meet the needs of patients every day and be prepared for emergencies that may require significant volumes of donated blood products.

Every two seconds

In the U.S., every two seconds someone like Ray Poulin needs blood or platelets. Poulin’s liver and kidneys failed following a serious blood infection. The situation became urgent when his liver hemorrhaged. He was given a 10 percent chance of survival. After receiving 77 units of blood, Poulin defied the odds.

“There was a lot that went into saving my life, but it the blood wasn’t available when I needed it, I wouldn’t be here today,” Poulin said.

Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.

All blood types urgently needed

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to help restock the shelves. The Red Cross is thanking those who come in to donate blood or platelets through Aug. 31 with an emailed $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App or visit redcrossblood.org. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce wait times.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 29-Aug. 15

Washington County

• Hurricane – Hurricane Community Center, 63 S. 100 West – August 2, 1-6:30 p.m.
• St. George – St. George Blood Donation Center, 467 E. Riverside Dr. Ste. B6
  • July 29, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Aug. 1, 1-6 p.m.
  • Aug. 4, 1-6:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Aug. 8, 1-6 p.m.
  • Aug. 15, 1-6 p.m.
• St. George – Morningside Stake Center, 900 S. River Rd., Aug. 3, 1-7 p.m.
• St. George – Red Cliffs Health & Rehab, 1745 E. 280 North, Aug. 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• St. George – St. George Utah Southgate Stake Center, 3519 Manzanita Rd., Aug. 8, 1-6 p.m.
• St. George – Dixie Regional Medical Center, 1380 E. Medical Center Dr., Aug. 12, 2-7 p.m.
• St. George – The Falls Event Center, 170 S. Mall Dr., Aug. 15, 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Iron County

• Cedar City – YSA Meeting House, 85 N. 600 West, July 29, 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Cedar City – Cedar City Canyon View Stake Center, 1985 N. Main, Aug. 11, 2-7 p.m.
• Enoch – Enoch Stake Center, 2233 E. Village Green Road, Aug. 9, 2-7 p.m.

Carbon County

• Carbon County Fairgrounds, 310 S. Fairgrounds Road, Aug. 12, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Duchesne County

• Roosevelt-Multi-Chem, A Halliburton Service, 1661 W Hwy  40, Aug. 1, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Emery County

• Castle Dale-PacifiCorp, Hunter, S. Hwy #10, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Millard County

• Fillmore – Fillmore Utah Stake Center, 300 W. Center, Aug. 12, 1-7 p.m.

Sanpete County

• Mount Pleasant – Mt. Pleasant North Stake Center, 500 N. 300 West, Aug. 4, 2-7 p.m.

Wayne County

• Loa – Loa Stake Center 20 S. 100 West, Aug. 10, 2-7 p.m.

About the American Red Cross