February 8, 2022 — As severe winter storms continue to move through the country, the American Red Cross asks members of the community to schedule the earliest-available blood or platelet donation appointments in their area once it is safe to give.

Dangerous snow and ice conditions have contributed to about 600 blood drive cancellations across the country since the beginning of the year, resulting in nearly 17,500 uncollected blood and platelet donations.

Since the Red Cross issued its first-ever blood crisis in January, thousands of generous donors have come forward to give, but patient care remains at risk. The threat of winter weather continues − as well as ongoing complications posed by the omicron variant – and could further complicate efforts to rebuild the blood supply.

More donors are needed to make appointments now for the weeks ahead to help ensure accident victims, cancer patients and new mothers experiencing complicated childbirths have access to lifesaving blood product transfusions without delay. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

All who come to give blood or platelets Feb. 1-28, 2022, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon.*

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Crawford County

Crestline

2/10/2022: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Crestline High School, 7854 Oldfield Road

Galion

2/10/2022: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Northmor High School, 7819 Ohio 19

2/23/2022: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Christian Church, 6195 State Route 19

New Washington

2/14/2022: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 110 South Kibler St.

North Robinson

2/22/2022: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Colonel Crawford High School, 2303 State Route 602