The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage, according to a spokesman.
Eligible donors of all types are urged to give now, the spokesman stated. Those who donate blood with the Red Cross from July 26 through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target electronic gift card, according to the spokesman.
Nearly 61,000 fewer blood donations than needed were given through the Red Cross in May and June, prompting the emergency call for donations in early July, according to the spokesman. The shortfall was the equivalent of the Red Cross not receiving any blood donations for more than four days.
A Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, at the Wyandotte County Justice Complex, 710 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.
Other blood donation locations are on the www.redcrossblood.org website.
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.