It’s a combo that, for the American Red Cross, adds up to a concerning trend: Blood is being used in hospitals faster than donors come in. The organization that’s responsible for supplying a large portion of blood used in emergencies says it has collected about 50,000 fewer blood donations than needed over the last two months, and it’s asking donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now in order to avoid a looming shortage.
Red Cross blood drives are held regularly across the area, but scheduling and keeping appointments helps the organization better manage its supply, and some incentives have been added to ease concerns even further.
Having teamed up with Warner Brothers Discovery, producers of TV’s “Shark Week” and the movie “Meg 2: The Trench”, those donating blood or platelets now through the 16th will receive a limited-time bonus $15 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice. Anyone coming in July 12 through August 12 will be entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium, and donations made July 17 through the 31st will receive an official Shark Week T-Shirt while supplies last.
The best way to schedule a donation is online at RedCrossBlood.org, or you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Here’s a list of upcoming local blood collections:
Oostburg:
7/20/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Oostburg State Bank, 905 Center Ave.
Plymouth:
7/13/2023: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, N5990 Country Aire Road
Sheboygan:
7/14/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall, 1104 Wisconsin Ave
7/21/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall, 1104 Wisconsin Ave
7/28/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall, 1104 Wisconsin Ave
8/3/2023: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Mead Public Library, 710 N. 8th St.
8/4/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall, 1104 Wisconsin Ave
Sheboygan Falls:
7/19/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Berkshire Community Gym, 101 School St.
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