Shortage spurs call for blood donations

7/24/2014

In light of a pending blood shortage, the American Red Cross has issued an urgent appeal for donors.

According to the national appeal, donations have been down 8 percent in the last 11 weeks. The Red Cross said a major reason for the shortage was the July 4 holiday, which saw about 1,000 fewer blood drives than a typical summer weekend.

“Many sponsors did not host drives because people took vacations either over the long weekend or for the entire week,” the appeal read.

The numbers have dropped even more in the western Lake Erie region, said Angie Bermudez, a communications manager for regional blood services. She said local donations have been down 12.5 percent.

“We’re hoping the response from the appeal will help make up for the shortfall,” she said.

The Red Cross operates a Toledo donation center at 3510 Executive Pkwy. that is open six days a week. Operating hours can be viewed at redcrossblood.org, via a ZIP code search.

Mobile blood drives this week include:

● Today from noon to 6 p.m. at Arcadia United Methodist Church, 19397 Brown Rd., Arcadia, Ohio.

● Today from noon to 6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 129 E. Elm in Wauseon.

● Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Luckey American Legion post, 335 Park Drive, Luckey, Ohio.

● Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Stadium View Apartments, 1700 Juniper Drive, Bowling Green.

● Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Journey, 2531 S. State Rt. 100, Tiffin.