Red Cross reports shortages of blood supplies; upcoming blood drives in Butler County

Nicole Babb
[email protected]

In a press release sent Monday morning, the American Red Cross announced that it was experiencing an acute blood shortage due to the remnants of Hurricane Debby, which has hit Florida, and other severe weather events across the country.

Due to extreme heat, nearly 60 blood drives have been canceled, resulting in 1,500 blood products not being collected. Each year, 90,000 blood drives are affected by extreme weather conditions. So far this year, 29 blood drives have been canceled, resulting in over 650 drives not being collected in the Kansas-Oklahoma region. Over the past 10 years, 167 drives have been canceled in Kansas alone for the same reason.

This summer, the American Red Cross is offering citizens incentives to donate. Anyone who donates blood by August 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card via email. Additionally, anyone who donates from September 1-15 will receive a Red Cross raglan t-shirt, while supplies last. For more information, visit redcrossblood.org/help.

Upcoming blood drives in Butler County:

El Dorado

Tuesday, August 27: First Christian Church, 300 W Central, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Tuesday, September 24: Trinity United Methodist Church, 430 Eunice, 11:15 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Augusta

Friday, September 27: United Methodist Church, 2420 N Ohio, 12-6 p.m.

Douglas

Sunday, September 29th: Douglass Senior Center, 124 W 4th, 12:30-18:00

Appointments are not necessary to donate, but they can speed up the process. Walk-ins are always welcome at blood drives. To schedule an appointment, visit the Red Cross online at redcrossblood.org and then navigate to “Donate Blood.”

September is also National Preparedness Month, a month dedicated to encouraging people to be ready for disasters and emergencies. For the American Red Cross, that means having adequate blood supplies. They reported that this year the country experienced the earliest Category 5 storm on record, Hurricane Beryl, and that wildfires have burned 2.7 million more acres of land than they will in 2023. To see what disasters are affecting your area, visit the Red Cross website online at redcross.org/hazardmap.