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Red Cross urges blood and platelet donations after Hurricane Dorian impacts blood supply

From American Red Cross

As the American Red Cross works around the clock supporting people impacted by Hurricane Dorian, providing food, shelter and comfort, individuals outside the affected areas are urged to help by giving blood or platelets to ensure patients in the storm’s path and around the country have access to lifesaving blood. People can also help by making a financial donation to support relief efforts.

Hurricane Dorian has forced the closure of blood donation centers and the cancellation of blood drives in its path, causing blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. When blood donations are disrupted in a region of the country, the Red Cross is able to move blood donations where they are needed most.

Donors of all blood types are urgently needed to ensure a sufficient supply for patients. Type O and B blood donors are especially needed. Make an appointment to donate blood now by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting http://RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Financial donations are also needed and allow the Red Cross to make a difference in the lives of people impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Visit http://redcross.org , call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word DORIAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to  and help people recover from this disaster.

  Up-to-date information about how the Red Cross is responding to Hurricane Dorian is available at http://redcross.org . 

Upcoming area blood donation opportunities Sept. 10-30 include:

Chinook

Today, Sept 10: 12:30 p.m.-6 p.m., Wallner Hall, 330 Ohio

Havre

Today, Sept. 10: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Northern Montana Hospital, 30 13th Street

Sept. 11: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Montana State University Northern Student Union Building, SUB Ballroom

Sept. 12: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Triangle Communications, 2121 US Hwy 2 NW

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit http://RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at http://RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

 

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