'Urgent Need' For Blood Donations As Summer Ends: Lake Elsinore Blood Drive Nearing

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a chronic summer blood shortage.

In August, regular donors may delay giving as final summer vacations are planned and back-to-school activities ramp up. To fully meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks, donations are urgently needed from new and current donors. Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and Power Red cells can be donated every 112 days.

As a special thank you, those who come out to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross now through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target eGiftCard.

Appointments can be scheduled by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 15-31

Corona
8/18/2017: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Circle K, 255 E. Rincon, Suite 100
8/31/2017: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., California Institute for Women, 16756 Chino Corona Rd

Hemet
8/24/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Recruiting Center, 3329 W Florida

Lake Elsinore
8/15/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tarbell Realtors, 18295 Collier Ave

Murrieta
8/17/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wal-Mart, 41200 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd
8/27/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wal-Mart, 41200 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd
8/30/2017: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rancho Springs Medical Center, 25520 Medical Dr

Riverside
8/16/2017: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Red Cross Riverside Chapter, 6235 Rivercrest Drive Suite A
8/16/2017: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Riverside Community Hospital, 4445 Magnolia Ave
8/21/2017: 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., University of California Bell Tower, 900 University Ave
8/25/2017: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Simpson Strong-Tie, 12246 Holly Street
8/28/2017: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Riverside City Hall, 3900 Main Street
8/30/2017: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Red Cross Riverside Chapter, 6235 Rivercrest Drive Suite A

Temecula
8/25/2017: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wal-Mart, 32225 Hwy 79 South

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