Blood Drives Set For Mercer County As Red Cross Supply Dwindles

There are four blood drive events coming up in Mercer County as the American Red Cross warns it is experiencing an emergency blood shortage following the Independence Day holiday. Upcoming blood drives in Mercer County are as follows:

Hamilton
7/24/2018: 1 p.m. — 6 p.m., Nottingham Fire Company, 200 Mercer St.
7/27/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Metro Center, Clock Building, 200 American Metro Blvd.

Princeton
7/28/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad, 237 N. Harrison St.

Titusville
7/19/2018: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Johnson & Johnson-Titusville Campus, 1125 Trenton-Harbourton Road

The American Red Cross is looking for all blood types, especially “O.” The Red Cross escalated its call for blood and platelet donors after a difficult Independence Day week for donations.

More than 550 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups last week than during a typical week as individuals across the country celebrated the holiday and enjoyed summer activities.

This could equate to as many as 15,000 fewer donations than needed, causing donations to now be distributed to hospitals faster than they come in, according to the Red Cross.

“Each and every day, individuals across the country depend on blood and platelet donations for lifesaving treatments and emergency care, so it’s critical that people donate now to meet these needs,” Red Cross Blood Services Senior Vice President Cliff Numark said. “Whether you’ve never donated or give a couple of times a year, you’re needed to give as soon as possible to help save patient lives. Yours may be the donation a patient is counting on.”

Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage. Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations. Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross has added about 6,500 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors.

Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

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