Summer is usually a slow time for blood donations, but that does not mean the need decreases with the season. The American Red Cross is facing a shortage of several blood types, and donations are needed in order to prevent an emergency situation.
Michelle Rupp, external communications manager for the Red Cross Greater Ozarks-Arkansas Region, said it can be easy for people to forget to make a donation during the summer months because their schedules are different. Between vacations and taking care of children while they’re out of school, donating blood gets pushed back.
“Folks are out of their routine. They aren’t thinking about what they would regularly do,” she said. “For those who donated in May or the beginning of June, they should be eligible or almost eligible to donate again. That 56-day window is up.”
The summer is also a difficult time for blood banks because 20 percent of donations throughout the year come from blood drives on high school and college campuses. When classes are not in session, it is harder to fill that quota.
The Red Cross Greater Ozarks-Arkansas Region encompasses the whole state of Arkansas, southwest Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee.
Overall, the region’s blood donations have been approximately 1,210 fewer per month in June and July than in the previous 10 months. While there is not yet an emergency shortage, the numbers are headed that way, and Rupp said the Red Cross encourages people to donate blood in order to restock the shelves.
“We’re facing a shortage,” she said. “Naturally, we want that blood there. We have hospitals that depend on that blood on a daily basis. Also, if something unfortunate were to happen, we want that blood on the shelves. We have to keep up with the demand.”
Blood types O negative, B negative and A negative are specifically needed. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types B negative and A negative can be transfused to Rh positive or Rh negative patients.
Rupp said platelet donors and those with type AB blood are also asked to consider making donations. Platelets must be transfused within five days of donation — making the need constant — and are often needed by cancer patients, surgical patients and bone-marrow recipients. Type AB donors have the universal plasma type, meaning their donation can be given to patients of all blood types.
Rupp said donors can visit a donation center or a blood drive to make a donation. While walk-in donations are acceptable, Rupp said it is best to make an appointment.
“That allows for us to be ready to receive you,” she said. “It’s very simple to make those appointments. You can do it at redcrossblood.org.”
Upcoming blood drives in the Three Rivers Edition coverage area are as follows:
Friday
American Red Cross Blood Center
1120 S. Main St.
Searcy
Noon to 5 p.m.
First Security Bank
314 N. Spring St.
Searcy
1-5 p.m
Merchants and Planters Bank
218 N. Edmonds
McCrory
1-5 p.m
Monday
Hammon Student Center Harding University
900 E. Center St.
Searcy
1-7 p.m.
Harps Food Store
1740 Batesville Blvd.
Batesville
2-6 p.m
Tuesday
American Red Cross Blood Center
1120 S. Main St.
Searcy
Noon to 5 p.m
Hammon Student Center Harding University
900 E. Center St.
Searcy
1-7 p.m.
Arkansas State University-Heber Springs
101 River Crest Drive
Heber Springs
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday
Hammon Student Center Harding University
900 E. Center St.
Searcy
1-7 p.m
Ozarka College-Mountain View
1800 College Drive
Mountain View
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Melbourne High School
2270 Lacrosse Road
Melbourne
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Aug. 27
Walmart Supercenter
1211 Arkansas 367
Newport
2-6 p.m.
Cave City High School
711 N. Main St.
Cave City
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Little Rock Air Force Base Education Center
1490 Vandenberg Blvd,
Suite 113
Jacksonville
2:30-6:30 p.m.
Staff writer Angela Spencer can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or aspencer@arkansasonline.com.