News Release

Media contact: Regina Boothe Bratton, (410)553-1565 @RedCrossBaltDC redcrossblood.org

Red Cross blood shortage prompts urgent call for blood and platelet
donations during National Blood Donor Month
Severe weather forces blood drive cancellations causing thousands of donations to go
uncollected

(Jan. 08, 2018) — This January, National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross has an
urgent need for blood and platelet donors of all blood types to make an appointment to give now
and help address a winter blood donation shortage.

Severe winter weather has had a tremendous impact on blood donations already this year, with
more than 150 blood drives forced to cancel causing over 5,500 blood and platelet donations to
go uncollected. This is in addition to seasonal illnesses, such as the flu, and hectic holiday
schedules collectively contributing to more than 28,000 fewer donations than what was needed
in November and December.

“Even temporary disruptions to blood and platelet donations can diminish the availability for
hospital patients,” said Clifford Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “It’s
the blood on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency, and that’s why we’re asking
eligible individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets today.”

While serving local hospitals is the first priority, the Red Cross can move blood products to
where they’re needed most. This allows generous donors throughout the country to contribute to
the national blood supply and potentially help patients locally and in storm-affected areas.

While all blood types are urgently needed, there is a more critical need for the following blood
and donation types right now:
 Platelets: The clotting portion of blood primarily given to cancer patients during
treatment and always in great demand.>
 Type O negative: The blood type that can be transfused to almost everyone and is
what doctors reach for in trauma situations.
 Type B negative: The blood type that can be transfused to type B Rh-positive and
negative patients.
 Type AB: The plasma type that can be transfused to almost everyone and can be
donated through a platelet or plasma donation, where available, or during a regular
blood donation.

How to help
Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to
donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED
CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass are
encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-
donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their

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donation, by visiting redcrossblood.org/rapidpass from the convenience of a mobile device or
computer, or through the Blood Donor App.

Who blood donations help

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood – a need that is all too real for Heather
Hrouda and her family. Hrouda was 25 weeks pregnant with her fourth child when she began
bleeding. An emergency cesarean section was performed, but Hrouda hemorrhaged during
surgery. She received 14 units of blood and seven units of plasma before she and her newborn
son, Rusher, were flown to a nearby hospital. There, she received additional transfusions, and
Rusher was moved to the neonatal intensive care unit, where he also received a blood
transfusion to increase his red blood cell count.

“My family and I are so thankful for all the blood donors,” said Hrouda. “It is safe to say that
without their time and donations, Rusher and I would not be here today. Because of donors, I
get to watch my kids grow up and become the adults they dream of being.”

The Hroudas are just two examples of the many patients who depend on blood and platelet
donors. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and patients
receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all require blood to save their
lives. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood donations every day for patients at
approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 8-31

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Washington

1/8/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/9/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/10/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/12/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/12/2018: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Ave Sw
1/12/2018: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Ave Sw
1/13/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/14/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/15/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/16/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Yuma Building, 4300 Nebraska Ave NW
1/16/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/17/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/18/2018: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Georgetown University Hotel & Conference Center/Leavey Center,
3800 Reservoir Rd NW
1/19/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/20/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/21/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/22/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/23/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., George Washington University, 800 21st Street NW
1/23/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/24/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW

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1/26/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/27/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/28/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/29/2018: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Georgetown University - Leavey Center, 3800 Reservior Road
NW
1/29/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/30/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., US Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenburg Pl, SW
1/30/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/31/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Dr. Charles Drew Donation Center, 1730 E Street NW
1/31/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Armour J. Blackburn Center, 2397 6th St, NW

MARYLAND

Montgomery

Damascus
1/25/2018: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Damascus United Methodist Church, 9700 New Church Street

Gaithersburg
1/18/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, 610 South Frederick Avenue
1/26/2018: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, 8301
Turkey Thicket Drive

Germantown
1/20/2018: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church-Germantown, 13700 Schaeffer
Road

Rockville
1/8/2018: 1:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/9/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/10/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/11/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/12/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/13/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/14/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/15/2018: 1:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/16/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/17/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/18/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/19/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/20/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/21/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/22/2018: 1:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/23/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/24/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/25/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/26/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive

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1/27/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/28/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/29/2018: 1:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/30/2018: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., The Emmes Corporation, 401 N. Washington Street, STE 700
1/30/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive
1/31/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Rockville Blood Donation Center, 11820 Parklawn Drive

Silver Spring
1/9/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Montgomery Chapter House, 2020 East West Highway
1/21/2018: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Christ Congregational Church, UCC Main Church Building, 9525
Colesville Road
1/23/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Montgomery Chapter House, 2020 East West Highway
1/25/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Montgomery Chapter House, 2020 East West Highway
1/30/2018: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Seventh Day Adventists World Headquarters, 12501 Old
Columbia Pike

Wheaton
1/15/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Hughes United Methodist Church, 10700 Georgia Ave.
_______________

Prince Georges

Bowie
1/8/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall Bowie, 6111 Columbian Way
1/13/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Bowie Senior Center, 14900 Health Center Dr
1/18/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Bowie Community Center, 3209 Stonybrook Drive

Capitol Heights
1/28/2018: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., The Sanctuary of Kingdom Square, 9171 Central Ave

College Park
1/26/2018: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Red Cross Club Stamp Student Union, Baltimore Ave

Greenbelt
1/19/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Road

Largo
1/9/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Prince George's County Association of Realtors, 9200 Basil Court,
Suite 400
_______________

Saint Marys

Hollywood
1/11/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Smartronix, 44150 Smartronix Way
1/19/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad, 43256 Three Notch Rd

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Leonardtown
1/17/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St. Mary's Hospital Pavilion, 25500 Point Lookout Rd

Lexington Park
1/18/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lexington Park United Methodist Church, 21760 Great Mills Rd

Mechanicsville
1/15/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, 28165 Hills Club
Rd

VIRGINIA

Alexandria City

Alexandria
1/9/2018: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Dunkin Donuts Baskin-Robbins, 3325 Jefferson Davis Hwy
1/12/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Alexandria Chapter House, 123 North Alfred St
1/19/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Alexandria Chapter House, 123 North Alfred St
1/23/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Alexandria Chapter House, 123 North Alfred St
_______________

Fairfax

Chantilly
1/13/2018: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., St. Timothy Catholic Church, 13809 Poplar Tree Rd.

Fairfax
1/8/2018: 1:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/9/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/10/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/11/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue,
Suite 200
1/12/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/13/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/14/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/15/2018: 1:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/16/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue,
Suite 200
1/17/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200

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1/18/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue,
Suite 200
1/19/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/19/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Providence District Office and Community Center, 3001 Vaden
Dr,
1/20/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/21/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/22/2018: 1:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/23/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue,
Suite 200
1/24/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/25/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue,
Suite 200
1/26/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/27/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/28/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/29/2018: 1:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200
1/30/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue,
Suite 200
1/31/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fairfax Blood Donation Center, 2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite
200

Herndon
1/11/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Brandywine Realty Trust, 13825 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite 250
1/16/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 432 Van Buren St.

Mc Lean
1/29/2018: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Federal Highway Administration, 6300 Georgetown Pike

Reston
1/12/2018: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr
1/24/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Reston Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Dr.
1/24/2018: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., St Thomas a Becket RCC, 1421 Wiehle Ave

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_______________

Falls Church City

Falls Church
1/10/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., City of Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls St
1/16/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Keller Williams Realty, 105 W. Broad St
_______________

Fauquier

Catlett
1/17/2018: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Catlett Community, Catlett Fire and Rescue Building, 3558 Catlett
Rd

Marshall
1/8/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Marshall Baptist Church, 4121 Winchester Rd, PO Box 237

Remington
1/29/2018: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, 400 Church Street

Warrenton
1/24/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Warrenton Baptist Church, 123 Main St
1/26/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Blue Ridge Orthopaedic & Spine Center, 52 West Shirley Avenue
_______________

Loudoun

Ashburn
1/8/2018: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Ashburn Farm Association, 21400 Windmill Dr.
1/13/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Fitness Equation, 44693 Brimfield Drive

Sterling
1/8/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Claude Moore Recreation Center, 46105 Loudoun Park Lane
_______________

Manassas City

Manassas
1/18/2018: 2 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Manassas Volunteer Rescue, 9322 Center Street
1/22/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Bethel Lutheran Church, 8712 Plantation Ln
_______________

Prince William

Gainesville
1/27/2018: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Gainesville United Methodist Church, 13710 Milestone Ct.

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Manassas
1/25/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Dumfries Community, 15012 Dumfries Road

Woodbridge
1/8/2018: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., PennFed Realty - Woodbridge, 2253A Old Bridge Rd
1/17/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Prince William Ice Center, 5180 Dale Boulevard

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters;
supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides
international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross
is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American
public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or
cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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