Red Cross: 20,000 donations uncollected due to winter storms

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The American Red Cross urges people to take action now to help offset the severe impact of recent winter storms on efforts to rebuild the blood supply during an ongoing blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are asked to make a blood or platelet donation appointment as soon as possible.

Over 500 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of the year, causing more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. In the Indiana Region, 33 blood drives have been affected, with 829 blood product donations going uncollected. In addition to the disruption of blood drives, dangerous weather conditions have also made it tougher to transport vital blood products, which could potentially affect deliveries to hospitals in some locations.

Patient care is at risk, so donors in unaffected areas are asked to book an appointment to give blood or platelets now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those in areas facing extreme winter weather are asked to give when it’s safe to do so.

All who come to give through Feb. 28 will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.

Upcoming donation opportunities

Carmel

  • Feb. 9 from noon to 5 p.m., Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000 E. 151st St.
  • Feb. 18 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., Carmel American Legion Post 155, 852 W. Main St.
  • Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Delta Faucet, 55 E. 111th St.

Fishers

  • Feb. 12 from 1 to 6 p.m., Billericay Park Multi-Purpose Community Building, 12690 Promise Road
  • Feb. 12 from 1 to 6 p.m., IU Health Fishers, 13100 E. 136th St.
  • Feb. 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun King Brewing, 9713 District North Drive, Suite 1220

Noblesville

All blood drives will be held at the Noblesville Blood Donation Center, 14765 Hazel Dell Crossing, Suite 700

  • Feb. 10 from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
  • Feb. 11 from noon to 6:15 p.m.
  • Feb. 12 from noon to 6:30 p.m.
  • Feb. 14 from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
  • Feb. 17 from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
  • Feb. 18 from noon to 6:15 p.m.
  • Feb. 19 from noon to 6:30 p.m.
  • Feb. 21 from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
  • Feb. 24 from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
  • Feb. 25 from noon to 6:15 p.m.
  • Feb. 26 from noon to 6:30 p.m.
  • Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Westfield

  • Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ascension St. Vincent YMCA, 874 Virginia Rose Ave.

Zionsville

  • Feb. 19 from noon to 6 p.m., Security Federal Savings Bank, 10880 N. Michigan Road