Seasonal shortage results from summer vacations
The American Red Cross urges donors to choose their day to give hope to patients in need by donating blood or platelets during the “100 days of summer, 100 days of hope” campaign.
Summer vacations and travel can contribute to less availability for people to give blood or platelets. Patients, however, don’t get a summer holiday or vacation from needing lifesaving blood. The Red Cross relies on volunteer donors for the 15,000 blood donations needed every day to support patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
To make an appointment to donate blood or for more information, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.
