Thousands of lifesaving blood donations have gone uncollected due to drive cancellations forced by the hurricane, but patients still need critical medical care

 As the American Red Cross responds to Hurricane Florence, providing food, shelter and comfort to those affected, individuals outside the affected areas are urged to help by giving blood or platelets to care for patients in the storm’s path and across the country. People can also help by making a financial donation to support relief efforts.

Hurricane’s impact on blood and platelet donations
Hurricane Florence’s wrath left catastrophic damage behind and took a toll on blood and platelet donations. Nearly 200 Red Cross blood drives in the Southeast were forced to cancel, resulting in more than 5,200 uncollected blood and platelet donations.

“Natural disasters like hurricanes can disrupt blood drives and prevent donors from giving, but hospital patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “There is an especially critical need for platelets to help cancer patients and type O blood donations for ongoing patient care and emergencies. Every donation can be a lifeline for patients.”

How to help
Donors of all blood types are urged to help restore hope to patients across the country by making an appointment today to give blood or platelets. Appointments can be made by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities, Sept. 20-Oct. 15

IL

Iroquois

Buckley
10/3/2018: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., St John's Lutheran School Pint Size Hero, 206 East Main St.

Cissna Park
10/3/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Creekside Community Center, 510 Prairie Ln

Watseka
9/27/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., American Legion Post 23, South 4th St.
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Kankakee

Bradley
9/20/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Quality Inn and Suites, 800 N. Kinzie Ave.
9/27/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Quality Inn and Suites, 800 N. Kinzie Ave.
10/4/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Quality Inn and Suites, 800 N. Kinzie Ave.
10/11/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Quality Inn and Suites, 800 N. Kinzie Ave.

Kankakee
9/29/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Morning Star Baptist Church, 525 N.Harrison
10/10/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Kankakee Faith Reformed Church, 2400 Waldron Rd

Momence
9/24/2018: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Momence Fire Department, 15 N Pine

Saint Anne
9/22/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Saint Anne High School, 650 W Guertin St
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La Salle

Marseilles
10/11/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., First Congregational United Church of Christ, 255 E. Bluff

Oglesby
10/2/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Illinois Valley Community College, 815 N. Orlando Smith Rd., RR1

Ottawa
10/2/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Carpenter's Local 195, 1001 Boyce Memorial Drive
10/4/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1401 State Street

Peru
10/2/2018: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Illinois Valley Chapter Donation Center, 1530 4th Street

Streator
9/20/2018: 8:45 a.m. - 1 p.m., New Beginnings Baptist Church, 204 S. Monroe
10/4/2018: 1:45 p.m. - 6 p.m., New Beginnings Baptist Church, 204 S. Monroe

Tonica
10/1/2018: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 423 Wauponis Street
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