Red Cross fighting shortage

Donor John Johnson gave blood during an American Red Cross drive on Aug. 6 in Foley. Red Cross has scheduled several blood drives in Madison County neighborhoods. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON COUNTY – American Red Cross is facing a looming shortage of blood types that patients need most and is calling on eligible donors with O negative, B negative and A negative blood to prevent an emergency situation.

“Summer blood shortages are not uncommon but can be prevented when generous volunteers roll up their sleeves to help save lives,” senior communications director Nick Gehrig said. Historically, blood donations decline especially in August as families squeeze in last-minute, out-of-town vacations and then return to busy, back-to-school activities.

In special demand are donors with types AB, O negative, B negative and A negative blood. Plasma from type AB donors, along with type O negative blood, can be transfused to patients of any blood type.

Type B negative and A negative blood can be transfused to Rh-positive or negative patients. These types are in constant demand.

Red Cross has scheduled several blood drives in Madison County neighborhoods:

* Asbury United Methodist Church, 980 Hughes Road, Aug. 12, 2 to 7 p.m.

* St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1055 Hughes Road, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Pratheek Bobba (Student Leaders Save Lives), 8103 U.S. 72 W., Aug. 18, 2 to 7 p.m.

* Hampton Inn & Suites/Home2 Suites, 7010 Governor’s Drive W., Aug. 19, 1 to 6 p.m.

* Messiah Lutheran Church, 7740 U.S. 72 W., Aug. 19, 2 to 7 p.m.

* Raytheon, 401 Jan Davis Drive, Aug. 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

* Charger Village, 601 John Wright Drive, Aug. 28, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be 17 years old. However, 16-year-olds can donate with parental consent, who weigh 110 pounds minimum and who are in good health.

American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to disaster victims and supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood.

To schedule an appointment to give blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or visit redcrossblood.org.