Red Cross has urgent need for blood and platelet donations

The American Red Cross says it urgently needs blood and platelet donations to prevent a nationwide shortage this winter.

A decline in the supply after the holidays is common, said Ryan Corcoran, donor recruitment director for the Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region.

Busy holiday schedules in November and December contributed to about 1,700 fewer blood drives across the country and roughly 50,000 fewer donations compared with the two previous months, Red Cross officials said.

Corcoran said the supply can be replenished “when generous volunteers roll up their sleeves to help save lives,” he said. Every two seconds, a patient in the U.S. needs blood.

Donation appointments can be scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting www.redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767).

Blood and platelet donors of all blood types are needed.

Residents can donate blood this week at:

▪  The American Red Cross Charlotte Blood Donation Center, 2425 Park Road, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday; 2-7 p.m. Thursday; 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

▪  The American Red Cross Huntersville Blood Donation Center, 9800 W. Kincey Ave., Suite 110, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.

For a complete list of places in the Charlotte region to donate blood this month, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 3:35 PM with the headline "Red Cross has urgent need for blood and platelet donations."