The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make appointments to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free 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.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance. Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
East Branch - June 15, 1 - 6 p.m., East Branch Fire Department, Bridge Street;
Franklin - June 11, 1:30 - 6:30 p.m., Franklin Methodist Church, 101 Main Street;
Grand Gorge - June 2, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., BOCES Northern Catskills Occupational Center, 2020 Jump Brook Road;
South Kortright - June 4, 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., South Kortright Central School, 58200 State Highway 10;
Stamford - June 5, 12 - 6 p.m., Stamford Baptist Church, 40 Lake Street.
