SPOKANE, WA – The American Red Cross is calling on blood donors — especially those with type O blood — to help restock critically low supplies following holiday disruptions and ongoing summer challenges.
While summer festivities bring increased travel and outdoor activities, they also tend to result in fewer blood donations. The situation is worsened by extreme weather events that can cancel drives and delay collections, making scheduled appointments more important than ever.
“Blood products are urgently needed to ensure hospitals can continue treating trauma victims, surgery patients, and others who rely on regular transfusions,” said the Red Cross in a statement.
All blood types are encouraged to donate. Those who aren’t sure of their blood type can find out after donating. Appointments can be scheduled by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
- Donors who give by July 14 will receive a limited-edition pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last.
- Those who donate between July 15 and 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Reward via email.
Upcoming local blood drives include:
IDAHO – Latah County
- Moscow
- July 10, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Best Western Plus University Inn
- July 30, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Eagles Lodge 2277
- July 31, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse
- Troy
- July 24, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Troy Lions Hall
- Viola
- July 29, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Viola Community Center
WASHINGTON – Whitman County
- Pullman
- July 22, 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Gladish Community & Cultural Center
Spokane County
- Spokane
- July 23, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., LDS Spokane Stake, 29th Ave
- July 24, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Woman’s Club of Spokane
- July 25, 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Spokane Library South Hill
- Spokane Valley
- July 22, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Carrington College
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. Additional eligibility requirements apply for younger donors.
For faster check-in, donors can complete their pre-donation reading and health history online the day of their appointment using RapidPass® at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass.
