Lansing, Mich (February 14, 2014) — According to a press release Severe winter weather throughout January and into February has forced the cancellation of American Red Cross blood drives from coast to coast.
From January 2 through February 10, more than 1,000 Red Cross blood drives in 34 states and Washington, D.C. have been canceled, resulting in about 35,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations. The extraordinary number of cancellations is the equivalent of the Red Cross having to shut down its national operations for more than two full days.
“On average, the Red Cross must collect about 15,000 units of blood every day to help patients nationwide,” said Todd Kulman, Communications Program Manager of the Red Cross Great Lakes Blood Services Region. “Regardless of the weather, patients are counting on blood products to be there when needed.”
Nationwide, donations in January 2014 were down about 10 percent when you average typical January donations since 2011. Blood products are being distributed to hospitals as quickly as donations come in. All blood types are needed to help restock Red Cross shelves.
Here in the 65-county Great Lakes Region, approximately 60 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of the year, resulting in a shortfall of more than 1,800 uncollected blood and platelet donations in this area.
There is an urgent need for type O negative, O positive, B negative and A negative blood. Type O negative is universal and can likely be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A negative and B negative can be transfused to patients with either Rh positive or negative blood.
Platelets, a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, are also urgently needed. Platelets must be transfused within five days of donation, so donations are constantly needed.
The following is a list of blood drives through March 19th:
| CITY | DATE | LOCATION | SITE ADDRESS | HOURS |
| Grand Rapids | 02/17/2014 | BSI HEALTHCARE | 944 52ND STREET SE | 10:00 AM – 2:45 PM |
| Grand Rapids | 02/17/2014 | Cornerstone University | 1001 E. Beltline Avenue NE | 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM |
| Holland | 02/18/2014 | USF Holland | 750 E. 40th Street | 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM |
| Hamilton | 02/20/2014 | Hamilton Reformed Church | 3554 M-40 | 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM |
| Holland | 02/20/2014 | Intersection Ministries | 945 136th Avenue | 1:00 PM – 6:45 PM |
| Plainwell | 02/20/2014 | Gun Plains Township Hall – Plainwell | 381 8th st | 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM |
| Grand Haven | 02/21/2014 | Grand Haven First Presbyterian Church | 508 Franklin | 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM |
| Grand Rapids | 02/24/2014 | MSU – Secchia Campus | 15 Michigan Street NE | 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM |
| Holland | 02/27/2014 | Holland Event Center | 12330 James Street, Block H130 | 11:00 AM – 3:45 PM |
| Holland | 02/28/2014 | Bethany Christian Reformed Church | 11 East 32nd Street | 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM |
| Grand Rapids | 03/03/2014 | Davenport University | 6191 Kraft Ave | 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM |
| Grand Rapids | 03/04/2014 | Beacon Hill at Eastgate | 1919 Boston St | 9:30 AM – 2:15 PM |
| Holland | 03/05/2014 | Herrick District Library | 300 River Drive | 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM |
| Grand Haven | 03/06/2014 | North Ottawa Community Hospital | 1309 Sheldon Road | 10:00 AM – 5:45 PM |
| Holland | 03/07/2014 | Intersection Ministries | 945 136th Avenue | 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM |
| Otsego | 03/07/2014 | American Legion | 410 E Orleans | 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM |
| Grand Haven | 03/10/2014 | Hope Reformed Church | 14932 Mercury Drive | 1:00 PM – 6:45 PM |
| Hopkins | 03/11/2014 | Hopkins High School | 333 S Clark St | 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM |
| Saugatuck | 03/11/2014 | Saugatuck High School | 401 Elizabeth | 9:00 AM – 2:45 PM |
| Wayland | 03/12/2014 | United Church of Wayland | 411 Superior Street | 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM |
| Holland | 03/13/2014 | Holland Aquatic Center | 550 Maple Avenue | 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM |
| Spring Lake | 03/13/2014 | First Baptist Church Of Spring Lake | 118 E. Exchange Street | 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM |
| Grandville | 03/14/2014 | Hanley Christian Reformed Church | O-372 Jackson St | 12:00 PM – 4:45 PM |
| Hudsonville | 03/14/2014 | Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church | 3617 Hillcrest Road | 11:30 AM – 5:15 PM |
| Grand Rapids | 03/15/2014 | Fox Powersports | 3562 29th St. | 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM |
| Holland | 03/17/2014 | Third Reformed Church | 111 W. 13th Street | 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM |
| Grand Rapids | 03/18/2014 | American Red Cross | 1050 Fuller Avenue NE | 11:30 AM – 4:15 PM |
| Holland | 03/18/2014 | American Red Cross | 270 James Street | 11:30 AM – 5:15 PM |
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
