Red Cross: Donors needed now to build up the blood supply  

The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets in February to help build up the blood supply after thousands of donations went uncollected last month. People of all blood types – especially those with type O negative blood – are encouraged to make and keep their donation appointments so hospitals can continue to ensure critical care for patients this winter. 

Since the beginning of the year, hundreds of blood drives have been canceled and more than 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected due to severe winter weather and wildfires. As February continues, so does the potential for additional weather systems to disrupt blood drives. Flu and other seasonal illnesses are spreading, which could also force more people to cancel scheduled donation appointments, compounding the impact to collecting lifesaving blood products.

Give with your whole heart this month. To book a time to give blood or platelets, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, all who come to give Jan. 27-Feb. 28, 2025, will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Flurry for details.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 16-28:

Brooktondale

2/20/2025: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Brooktondale Fire Department, 786 Valley Rd.

Dryden

2/25/2025: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Tompkins Cortland Community College, 170 North St.

2/26/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Dryden Fire Department, 26 North Street

Ithaca

2/19/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Vineyard Church of Ithaca, 23 Cinema Drive

2/26/2025: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Cornell University Stocking Hall, 411 Tower Rd.

2/27/2025: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1019 N. Cayuga Street

2/28/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Cayuga Medical Center Bonnie Howell Education Center, 101 Dates Drive

Lansing

2/17/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Lansing United Methodist Church, 32 Brickyard Rd.