Red Cross in emergency need, donation drives announced

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The American Red Cross says blood donations have fallen short of hospital needs for the past few months which has led to about 39,000 frew donations than what is needed.

Officials say the Independence Day holiday may have contributed to the lack of donations with donors on vacation.

Right now the American Red Cross is issuing an emergency call for blood and platelets, urging all eligible donors to give now to replenish an extremely low summer blood supply.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities, July 5 through July 25:

American Red Cross Wilmington Blood Donation Center, 1102 S. 16th St.
Monday,1 to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; second Sunday of the month, noon to 4:30 p.m.

 New Hanover

Carolina Beach

7/18/2016: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Masonic Lodge #753 Carolina Beach, 415 Harper Ave.

Wilmington

7/12/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Wells Fargo-Mayfaire, 1131 Military Cutoff Road

7/14/2016: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Port City Community Church, 250 Vision Drive

7/16/2016: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., LIFEPOINT CHURCH, 3534 South College Road

7/18/2016: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., St Mark Catholic Church, 1011 Eastwood Road

7/19/2016: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Country Club of Landfall, 800 Sun Runner Place

7/21/2016: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Banana Republic, 6841 Main St.

7/21/2016: 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Pine Valley United Methodist Church, 3788 Shipyard Blvd.

7/23/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Marsh Oaks Clubhouse, 117 Marsh Oaks Drive

 Robeson

Lumberton

7/18/2016: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Lowe’s Home Improvement, 5060 Fayetteville Road

How to Help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites to allow for more donors to make an appointment to give. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to avoid longer wait times. Donors with all blood types are needed.