Blood supply shortage continues as holidays approach

Nov. 4, 2021  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

A donor gives blood at a Red Cross blood drive in November 2020 in Portsmouth, Virginia. Photo by Jared Beasley/American Red Cross

As Thanksgiving and the holidays approach, the American Red Cross urges donors to continue to make and keep appointments to help overcome the ongoing emergency blood and platelet shortage that may be the most severe for this time of year in more than a decade.

Since declaring an emergency need for donors last month, thousands of people have come to Red Cross blood drives across the country to roll up a sleeve and help patients in need of lifesaving transfusions. But hospital demand remains strong and at least 10,000 more donations are needed each week going into the holiday season when donations typically taper off. 

Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Scheduling appointments makes the process go smoothest. 

The Red Cross has several promotions running to thank donors. One is entry into a drawing for a 10-day trip for two to Hawaii for those who donate by Nov. 12 courtesy of Amazon Prime Video. Those who donate by Nov. 23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card as well. 

For a complete list of blood drive dates and places, visit redcrossblood.org. Some upcoming drives in and near Waterbury include: 

Berlin, Nov. 6, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Berlin Mall, 282 Berlin Mall Road, Space 5.

Barre, Nov. 8, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Barre Elks Lodge, 10 Jefferson St.

Montpelier, Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Montpelier City Hall, 39 Main St.

Berlin, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Vermont Medical Center, 130 Fisher Rd.

Waterbury, Nov. 20, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Waterbury Municipal Building, 28 North Main St.

Waterbury Center, Nov. 23, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Ivy Computer, 2933 Waterbury-Stowe Rd.