CLEVELAND — The American Red Cross is asking for willing blood donors to step forward due to a “severe blood shortage,” citing an increase in trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries. Donors of all blood types – especially O and platelets – are asked to make an appointment as soon as possible to prevent potential impact to patients who need blood.
“Hospitals are responding to an atypically high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoes and resulting transplants,” according to a press release from the Red Cross. “In comparison to 2019, the Red Cross has seen demand from trauma centers climb by 10% in 2021 – more than five times the growth of other facilities that provide blood transfusions.”
Donors can schedule an appointment in the following ways:
- The Red Cross Blood Donor app
- RedCrossBlood.org
- Calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
- Enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device
Scroll down to see a list of blood donation opportunities throughout Northeast Ohio. Those who donate now through June 30 will receive a $5 Amazon gift card (restrictions apply).
“In addition to trauma needs, there is a great hospital demand for blood as people who deferred care during the height of the pandemic present with more advanced disease progression, requiring increased blood transfusions,” according to the Red Cross. “Over the last three months, the Red Cross has distributed about 75,000 more blood products than expected to meet these needs. As a result of this shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes. Blood is perishable and cannot be stockpiled, so it must constantly be replenished by generous blood donors.”
Those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate in most cases. Knowing the name of the vaccine you received is important when determining your donation eligibility, officials said.
“Through June 25, the Red Cross is testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Testing may show possible exposure to the virus or whether a donor has developed an immune response to vaccination. The conclusion of Red Cross antibody testing represents a new, hopeful phase as the nation continues to journey out of this pandemic.”
Additionally, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations for sickle cell trait.
“This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Since the best blood match for a patient receiving ongoing transfusions comes from donors of the same genetic background, the Red Cross encourages people of all ethnicities to give blood and help increase the number of diverse donors so we can find the best match for all patients.”
Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 15-30
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DONATION CENTERS
Warzel Blood Donation Center
3747 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
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Parma Blood Donation Center
5585 Pearl Rd., Parma
Monday – Thursday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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Summit Blood Donation Center
501 W. Market St., Akron
Sundays, Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tuesdays: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
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ASHTABULA COUNTY
Andover
6/15/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Andover Christian Church, 200 Stillman Ave
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Ashtabula
6/18/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., YMCA, 263 W. Prospect
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Conneaut
6/17/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., New Leaf United Methodist Church, 110 Gateway Avenue
6/23/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Snap Fitness Conneaut, 236 Main St.
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Pierpont
6/24/2021: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Ducro Services, 1071 State Route 7 North
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CUYAHOGA COUNTY
Beachwood
6/18/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, 3999 Richmond Road
6/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Beachwood Community Center, 25451 Fairmount Blvd
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Brecksville
6/24/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Christ the Redeemer Lutheran, 9201 Brecksville Rd
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Broadview Heights
6/29/2021: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Cuyahoga Valley Church, 5055 E. Wallings Rd.
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Brook Park
6/15/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Brookpark Recreation Center, 17400 Holland Rd
6/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Mazzella Lifting Technologies, 21000 Aerospace Pkwy
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Brooklyn
6/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Brooklyn Senior Center, 7727 Memphis Avenue
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Cleveland
6/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lutheran Hospital, 1730 West 25th Street
6/17/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Church in the Circle, 1919 East 107th
6/21/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Grace Church Middleburg Heights, 7393 Pearl Road
6/23/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cleveland Clinic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 10300 Carnegie Ave.
6/24/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., One Cleveland Center, 1375 E.9th St.
6/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wiley Middle School, 2181 Miramar Blvd.
6/28/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Wiley Middle School, 2181 Miramar Blvd.
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Garfield Heights
6/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Marymount Hospital, 12300 McCracken Road
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Highland Heights
6/27/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St Paschal Baylon Church, 5384 Wilson Mills Rd.
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Independence
6/28/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Independence Community Center, 6363 Selig Drive
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Lakewood
6/19/2021: 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Lakewood Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1382 Arthur Avenue
6/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lakewood High School, 14100 Franklin Blvd
6/26/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Edward High School, 13500 Detroit Rd.
6/28/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Lakewood Women’s Club Pavilion, 14532 Lake Ave.
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Mayfield Heights
6/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hillcrest Hospital, 6780 Mayfield Road
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Mayfield Village
6/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Mayfield Branch Library, 500 SOM Center
6/17/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mayfield Village Civic Center, 6622 Wilson Mills Rd.
6/23/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 700 Beta Drive
6/29/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Mayfield Branch Library, 500 SOM Center
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North Olmsted
6/18/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Cuyahoga County Library North Olmsted Branch, 27403 Lorain Road
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North Royalton
6/24/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Cuyahoga County Library North Royalton Branch, 5071 Wallings Rd
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Olmsted Township
6/30/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Olmsted Township, 7900 Fitch Road
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Rocky River
6/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rocky River Civic Center, 21016 Hilliard Rd.
6/21/2021: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Rocky River Civic Center, 21016 Hilliard Rd.
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Solon
6/15/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Signature of Solon, 39000 Signature Drive
6/22/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Church of the Resurrection, 32001 Cannon Road
6/30/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7196 SOM Center Road
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South Euclid
6/22/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., South Euclid Community Center, 1370 Victory Drive
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Strongsville
6/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Ehrnfelt Recreation Center, 18100 Royalton Rd
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Westlake
6/16/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Westlake Recreation Center, 28955 Hilliard Rd.
6/29/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Ladislas Parish, 2345 Bassett Rd.
ERIE COUNTY
Huron
6/17/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 225 Williams St.
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Sandusky
6/24/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Holy Angels Catholic Church, 428 Tiffin Ave
6/25/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Firelands Regional Medical Center, 1912 Hayes Ave Sandusky
6/30/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., VFW, 604 Perkins Ave
GEAUGA COUNTY
Chagrin Falls
6/15/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Adam Hall, 11455 E. Washington St.
6/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Rd.
6/30/2021: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fellowship Bible Church, 16391 Chillicothe Rd.
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Chardon
6/18/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Munson Town Hall, 12210 Auburn Rd.
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Chesterland
6/21/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Mark Lutheran Church, 11900 Chillicothe Rd.
6/23/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mayfield Church, 7747 Mayfield Rd.
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Middlefield
6/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Middlefield Library, 16167 East High
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Parkman
6/22/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Parkman Community House, 16295 Main Market Rd. Rt. 422
LAKE COUNTY
Eastlake
6/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Justin Martyr Church, 35781 Stevens Blvd
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Kirtland
6/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., East Shore Unitarian Universalist, 10848 Chillicothe Rd.
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Mentor
6/16/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lake Catholic High School, 6733 Reynolds Rd.
6/21/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St John Vianney Church, 7575 Bellflower Rd.
6/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Mentor Civic Arena, 8600 Munson Rd.
6/25/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Great Lakes Mall, 7850 Mentor Ave.
6/25/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mentor Civic Arena, 8600 Munson Rd.
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Painesville
6/17/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Lake County YMCA Central Branch, 933 Mentor Ave.
6/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Holiday Inn Express, 11200 Gold Court
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Wickliffe
6/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wickliffe Public Library, 1713 Lincoln Rd.
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Willoughby
6/19/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., West Medical Center, 36000 Euclid Ave.
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Willoughby Hills
6/21/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Cleveland Clinic Family Health Center Willoughby Hills, 2550 SOM Center Rd.
LORAIN COUNTY
Avon
6/18/2021: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Richard E. Jacobs Health Campus, 33100 Cleveland Clinic Blvd.
6/30/2021: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Avon Isle Park, 37080 Detroit Road
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Columbia Station
6/25/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Columbia Twp Fire Department, 25540 Royalton Rd.
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North Ridgeville
6/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., North Ridgeville Public Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road
