Since announcing a national blood and platelet shortage a month ago, thousands of donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to help rebuild the American Red Cross blood and platelet supply. As that generosity continues, the Red Cross is working around-the-clock to ensure patients have access to lifesaving transfusions and must collect 10,000 additional blood and platelet donations – over and above expectations – each week over the next month to sufficiently meet hospital needs. Donors of all blood types are urged to book a time to give now, especially those with type O blood or those giving platelets. Don’t wait – patients are counting on critical care this fall. To make an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To encourage more blood and platelet donations, the Red Cross is offering new incentives to donors over the next month. All who come to give Oct. 21-Nov. 9 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a restaurant merchant of their choice to enjoy lunch on the Red Cross. They’ll also be automatically entered to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three lucky winners – one chosen at random each week. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Lunch. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines don’t affect donor eligibility As cold and flu season quickly approaches, the Red Cross is reminding donors that they can still give blood or platelets after receiving a flu vaccine, so long as they are feeling healthy and well on the day of their donation. Likewise, there is no deferral or wait time for those receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 21-Nov. 9:
WI
Dodge County
Beaver Dam
10/25/2023: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Beaver Dam High School, 500 Gould St
Juneau
10/23/2023: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Human Services and Health Department, 199 County Road DF
Mayville
10/25/2023: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion, 134 South Main Street
11/9/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Mayville Hometown Pharmacy, 1448 Horicon Street
Randolph
10/18/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Randolph High School, 110 Meadowood Dr
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Fond du Lac County
Eden
10/13/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Eden Fire Department, 104 Pine St
Fond du Lac
10/16/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Fond du Lac Public Library, 32 Sheboygan St.
10/19/2023: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Fond du Lac High School, 801 Campus Dr
10/31/2023: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, 625 W Rolling Meadows Dr
Ripon
10/24/2023: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church ELCA, 430 Griswold St
11/2/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ripon High School, 850 Tiger Dr
Saint Cloud
10/17/2023: 11:45 a.m. – 6 p.m., St Cloud Athletic Club, 911 Main St
