Two American Red Cross blood drives are planned in Wyandotte County.
One will be from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 4 at Cabelas, 10300 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kansas.
Another will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 10 at Repairs Unlimited Inc., 1940 Merriam Lane, Kansas City, Kansas.
According to the Red Cross, there is an emergency need for blood.
The Red Cross has been distributing about 12% more blood products to hospitals across the U.S. compared to this time last year. The Red Cross needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day to meet the current hospital demand and end the severe blood shortage, a spokesman stated.
Donors of all blood types are needed, especially type O, which stands at just a one-day supply right now.
To thank donors who help ensure a strong blood supply this month, all who come to give Aug. 1-15, will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exclusive trip for two to the sold-out 2021 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Those who come to donate throughout August will also receive a free 4-month subscription offer to Apple Music by email (new subscribers only). More details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/FeelTheBeat.
Schedule an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility, the Red Cross spokesman stated.