Winter Blood Shortage Critical: Jan. Blood Drives In Alameda Co.

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — The American Red Cross is in desperate need of blood and platelet donations, which are down due to the hectic holiday season and a brutal cold and flu season. The Red Cross said all blood types, especially Type O negative, are needed.

"Even temporary disruptions to blood and platelet donations can diminish the availability for hospital patients," said Clifford Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. "It’s the blood on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency, and that’s why we’re asking eligible individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets today."

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Alameda County:

Alameda

• 1/20/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St. Joseph High School - Notre Dame Hall, St. Joseph Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St.
• 1/27/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saint Barnabas, 1400 Sixth Street

Berkeley

• 1/24/2018: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., UCB Open Berkeley, MLK Student Union - Ballroom, Bancroft and Telegraph Ave

Castro Valley

• 1/20/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Transfiguration Church, 4000 East Castro Valley Blvd

Fremont

• 1/30/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Washington Hospital, 2500 Mowry Avenue

Newark

• 1/20/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fremont - Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard
• 1/21/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Fremont - Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard
• 1/23/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 6:15 p.m., Fremont - Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard
• 1/24/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Fremont - Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard
• 1/25/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Fremont - Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard
• 1/26/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fremont - Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard
• 1/27/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fremont - Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard
• 1/28/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Fremont - Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard
• 1/30/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 6:15 p.m., Fremont - Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard
• 1/31/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Fremont - Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

Oakland

• 1/20/2018: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 6230 Claremont Avenue
• 1/22/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 6230 Claremont Avenue
• 1/23/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 6230 Claremont Avenue
• 1/24/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 6230 Claremont Avenue
• 1/25/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 6230 Claremont Avenue
• 1/26/2018: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 6230 Claremont Avenue
• 1/27/2018: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 6230 Claremont Avenue
• 1/29/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 6230 Claremont Avenue
• 1/30/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 6230 Claremont Avenue
• 1/31/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 6230 Claremont Avenue

Pleasanton

• 1/20/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Avenue
• 1/21/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Avenue
• 1/22/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Avenue
• 1/23/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Avenue
• 1/24/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Avenue
• 1/26/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Avenue
• 1/27/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Avenue
• 1/28/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Avenue
• 1/29/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Avenue
• 1/30/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Avenue
• 1/31/2018: 11:45 a.m. - 7 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5556-B Springdale Avenue

How to help

Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, by visiting redcrossblood.org/rapidpass from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.

Logo courtesy Red Cross