Facing a blood shortage, Red Cross offers donors streaming music, festival contest

July 29, 2021  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Red Cross courtesy photo.

The American Red Cross has an emergency need to replenish the regional blood supply to meet ongoing hospital demand for blood and platelets and it’s offering donors a gift and a contest as a thank you.

Healthy donors are urged to make an appointment to help ease the shortage. In exchange, the Red Cross is offering several incentives for those who participate soon. 

In an announcement this week, the Red Cross said that all who donate Aug. 1-15 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the sold-out 2021 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, Sept. 1-6. The prize includes airfare, festival tickets, accommodations and more. More details are online here. 

Those who donate throughout the entire month of August will also receive a free four-month subscription to Apple Music (new subscribers only). Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/FeelTheBeat.

With more individuals returning to access health care, the Red Cross has been distributing about 12% more blood products to hospitals across the U.S. recently compared to this time last year. More than 1,000 additional blood donations each day are needed to meet the current hospital demand and end what the Red Cross considers to be a severe blood shortage. 

Donors of all blood types are needed, especially type O, which stands at just a one-day supply right now, according to the Red Cross. 

In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine is important in determining donation eligibility.

Although no blood drives are scheduled for Waterbury or Duxbury in the next two weeks, several are planned in communities that may be convenient for local residents to attend. They include: 

• Burlington: Aug. 6, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., University of Vermont Medical Center, 111 Colchester Avenue.

• Essex Junction:  Aug. 12, 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St..

• Montpelier: Aug. 2, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bethany United Church of Christ, 115 Main St.; Aug. 7,  9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St.

• Richmond: Aug. 4. 12 Congregational - 6 p.m., Church, 20 Church St..

• South Burlington: Aug. 7, 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., University Mall, 155 Dorset St.

• Waitsfield: Aug. 14,  9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Waitsfield United Church of Christ, 4335 Main St.

• Williston: Aug. 5, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Williston Fire Station, 645 Talcott Road.

The Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols whereby only unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks and socially distance. 

Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a drive. Schedule online at RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Those age 17 and older who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.