American Red Cross Blood Drive

With Thanksgiving and the holidays approaching, the American Red Cross urges donors to continue to make and keep appointments now and in the weeks ahead to help overcome the ongoing emergency blood and platelet shortage that has significantly impacted the nation's blood supply.

In fact, the current blood supply is the lowest the Red Cross has seen this time of year in more than a decade.

Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

Upcoming local blood donation opportunities:

• Lucas - Friday, November 5 from 9 AM to 3:15 PM at the United Methodist Church at 332 North Main Street
• Russell - Sunday, November 14 from 9 AM to 3 PM at St. John Lutheran Church at 425 North Main Street
• Russell - Monday, November 22 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Otterbein United Methodist Church at 527 North Maple Street

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification that 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.

(Information courtesy American Red Cross.)