Red Cross issues emergency call for blood, platelet donors

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The American Red Cross issued an emergency request for platelet and blood donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve and give because many fewer donations than expected were received in June and the first week of July.

"With the Fourth of July falling on a Thursday, It was hard to get people to come in on the Fifth of July to come out and donate.  And just summertime, people are outside enjoying the nice weather.  It's hard to get them to come inside and donate blood," said Jenelle Blavat, American Red Cross Donor Recruiter.

Nationwide, donations through the Red Cross were down approximately 10 percent in June, resulting in about 50,000 fewer donations than expected. The shortfall is similar to what the Red Cross experienced in June 2012.

"We supply about 30 hospitals in Wisconsin and then we might send the blood out to other parts of the country where it's needed," said Blavat.

The Red Cross urgently needs donations to ensure an adequate blood supply is available for patients all summer long.  Each day, the Red Cross Badger-Hawkeye Blood Region needs approximately 500 donors to step forward and give blood. Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially encouraged to give.

Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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 (16 with parental permission in some states), 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.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities

Dodge County

July 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Waupun High School, 801 E. Lincoln in Waupun, Wis.

July 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at American Legion, 134 S. Main St. in Mayville, Wis.

July 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at IAM LL873 Union Hall, 258 Barstow St. in Horicon, Wis.

Fond du Lac County

July 10 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Ripon High School, 850 Tiger Drive in Ripon, Wis.

July 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oakfield Community Center, 130 N. Main St. in Oakfield, Wis.

July 16 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at Campbellsport Public Library, 220 N. Helena St. in Campbellsport, Wis.

Jefferson County

July 11 from 1-6 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 129 N. Watertown St. in Johnson Creek, Wis.

Milwaukee County

July 16 from 1-6 p.m. at YMCA West Suburban, 2420 N. 124th St. in Wauwatosa, Wis.

July 18 from 1-6 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 6881 S. 51st St. in Franklin, Wis.

July 18 from 12-6 p.m. at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Union, 2200 Kenwood Blvd. in Milwaukee, Wis.

Ozaukee County

July 9 from 2-6 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 420 W. Whitefish Road in Port Washington, Wis.

Sheboygan County

July 10 from 11:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1808 Eastern Ave. in Plymouth, Wis.

July 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Red Cross Sheboygan Chapter, 2032 Erie Ave. in Sheboygan, Wis.

July 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 730 County Road PPP in Sheboygan Falls, Wis.

July 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Red Cross Sheboygan Chapter, 2032 Erie Ave. in Sheboygan, Wis.

Walworth County

July 12 from 11:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Matheson Memorial Library, 101 N. Wisconsin St. in Elkhorn, Wis.

July 15 from 10:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. at East Troy Bible Church, 2660 North St. in East Troy, Wis.

Washington County

July 9 from 2-6 p.m. at Kewaskum High School, 1510 Bilgo Lane in Kewaskum, Wis.

July 17 from 1-6 p.m. at American Red Cross, 819 Schoenhaar Drive in West Bend, Wis.

July 19 from 12-5 p.m. at Hartford Parks & Recreation Department, 125 N. Rural St. in Hartford, Wis.

July 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Jackson Community Center, N165 W20330 Hickory Lane in Jackson, Wis.

Waukesha County

July 9 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross Waukesha, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

July 9 from 2-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Ave. in Waukesha, Wis.

July 10 from 1-6 p.m. at New Berlin Public Library, 15105 Library Lane in New Berlin, Wis.

July 11 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross Waukesha, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

July 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Peace United Methodist Church, 12680 W. North Ave. in Brookfield, Wis.

July 13 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Country Springs Hotel, 2810 Golf Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

July 16 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross Waukesha, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

July 18 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross Waukesha, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.

July 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bishop’s Woods Office Park, 13555 Bishops Court in Brookfield, Wis.

July 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Delafield City Hall, 500 Genesee St. in Delafield, Wis.

July 23 from 1-6 p.m. at Lake Country Lutheran High School, 401 Campus Drive in Hartland, Wis.

July 23 from 1-6:30 p.m. at American Red Cross Waukesha, 2220 Silvernail Road in Pewaukee, Wis.