A decade-low blood supply for this time of year has the American Red Cross reaching out to ask residents to consider donating over the Thanksgiving holiday week and into December.
Fewer blood drives at schools and colleges contributed to a 34 percent drop in new blood donors compared with last year, a steep decline that could threaten needed medical care for some people.
The low blood supply is the result of low donor turnout in recent months because of the ongoing pandemic and the delta variant spike over the summer.
The Red Cross is asking people to consider donating blood or platelets, which are cells that help blood clot.
People who give Nov. 24 to Nov. 28 will receive a pair a Red Cross holiday socks while supplies last.
People who give from Nov. 29 to Dec. 16 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card and be registered to win a private screening of the new film “The Matrix Resurrections” for themselves and 50 of their friends.
People who want to donate can make an appointment through the Red Cross donor app, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling (800) RED CROSS (733-2767).
I’d love to donate but I’m on so many meds my blood would probably kill someone.
They do check your Rx med list VERY carefully. I am blood type O positive and used to donate regularly. But my current heart and thyroid support meds make me ineligible to be a donor.
Please everyone, donate if you can!
I’ in the same boat. I’m O negative but they won’t take me because of health issues. I think I might also be over the top for age also.
meds may not cause issue, and importantly, they may be able to use your platelets.
@Jeff (the other one) – I’m on Xarelto — I don’t have any platelets. Or at least none to spare. 🙁
@anonymous, got it….hope it is effective…and Happy Thanksgiving!
Should be an ample supply of blood-clot mechanisms. Is it at least 80% for contra costa county?
Thanks for the heads up. I just made an appointment.
They’ll take my blood but won’t see me without forcing me to pollute it.
No blood, the libs took it all.
Does anybody know if those who took covid “vax” can donate blood in CA? I think the answer is yes, but NO in other states? Can anyone confirm?
Didn’t CA also decriminalize knowingly passing diseases to others?
They are paying extra for purebloods.
Yes. I’ve donated twice.
If they paid me id consider giving some, but they dont so they get none.
With an incentive like free socks, rhey should have all the blood they need!
Well the government has drained our pockets so why should they not drain our life’s blood?
Sorry but as bad as this sounds will never donate blood for non citizens or criminals. Let the Democrats and socialists liberals drain their veins first. As they never give their fair share but only take from hard working citizens to redistribute our earnings.
I took the number and use to donate annually as I am O Negative. A very needed blood type.
I’m not sure why they’re asking for blood. I could have donated several times since the pandemic started, but they are severely understaffed and I’ve had to leave 3 times on appointments with 2-hour waits that would “bleed” into work engagements. Very frustrating as a donor.