Red Cross Urges Donors To Fill 'Missing Types' In RivCo

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The _meric_n Red Cr_ss needs help to bring back the A’s, B’s and O’s. This is not a typo. These letters represent blood types, and the reality is that during blood shortages these letters do go missing from hospital shelves. The American Red Cross urges donors of all blood types to give now to help prevent delays in patient care this summer.

Earlier this month, A’s, B’s and O’s began disappearing from brand logos, social media pages, signs and websites as part of the Missing Types campaign to draw attention to the need for new blood donors. More than 1,000 partners across the country, from small businesses to leading national brands, have signed on to join the #MissingType movement and raise awareness about the critical role of every blood donor.

While thousands of donors have answered the call to donate blood, more donors are needed now to help ensure blood types don’t go missing. During the summer, especially around holidays like Independence Day, donations often don’t keep pace with patient needs. The Red Cross is thanking all those who come to donate July 2-7 with an exclusive Red Cross Missing Types T-shirt, while supplies last.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 25-July 15 in Riverside County:

Banning
7/5/2018: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Silent Valley Club Inc, 46305 Poppet Flats Rd

Corona
7/5/2018: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Horsethief Canyon Ranch, 13289 Mountain Road

Eastvale
6/26/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Eastvale San Antonio Medical Plaza, 12442 Limonite Avenue

Hemet
7/5/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Gosch Chevrolet, 400 Carriage Circle
7/8/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Valley Church, 780 S State Street

Mira Loma
6/29/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Buffalo Wild Wings, 12411 Limonite Ave Ste 650

Murrieta
6/27/2018: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Wal-Mart, 41200 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd
6/29/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., YMCA, 39573 Los Alamos Rd
7/1/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wal-Mart, 41200 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd
7/6/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rancho Springs Medical Center, 25520 Medical Dr
7/13/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wal-Mart, 41200 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd

Perris
6/26/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, 765 W. Rider St

Riverside
6/26/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Riverside Community Hospital, 4445 Magnolia Ave
6/27/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., NCTI, 895 Marlborough Ave., Suite 100
6/28/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., KLOS Radio Blood Drive - American Red Cross Riverside Chapter, 6235 River Crest Dr, Suite A
6/29/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., KLOS Radio Blood Drive - American Red Cross Riverside Chapter, 6235 River Crest Dr, Suite A
6/30/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., KLOS Radio Blood Drive - American Red Cross Riverside Chapter, 6235 River Crest Dr, Suite A
7/1/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, 2858 Ninth St
7/2/2018: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Riverside Community Hospital, 4445 Magnolia Ave
7/2/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Riverside Community Hospital, 4445 Magnolia Ave
7/3/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Red Cross Riverside Chapter, 6235 Rivercrest Drive Suite A
7/6/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Red Cross Riverside Chapter, 6235 Rivercrest Drive Suite A
7/7/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., American Red Cross Riverside Chapter, 6235 Rivercrest Drive Suite A

Temecula
6/26/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wal-Mart, 32225 Hwy 79 South
6/28/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., KLOS Radio Blood Drive - Saint Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 44651 Avenida De Missiones
6/29/2018: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., Temecula Valley Hospital, 31700 Temecula Parkway
6/29/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Wal-Mart, 32225 Hwy 79 South
6/29/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Wal-Mart, 32225 Hwy 79 South
6/30/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., KLOS Radio Blood Drive - Saint Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 44651 Avenida de Missiones
7/7/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wal-Mart, 32225 Hwy 79 South
7/10/2018: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Wal-Mart, 32225 Hwy 79 South
7/14/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Starbucks, 29588 Rancho California Road Ste. K-13

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.

Volunteers needed
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.

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.

— SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: The American Red Cross / Image via Shutterstock