Donors urgently needed: Red Cross blood drive at Country Club

Amidst a blood shortage that spans the entire country, a blood drive will be held July 12 at the Canyon Lake Golf & Country Club. All Canyon Lakers are being solicited to participate.

The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Blood and platelet donors are needed now to help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products for the summer.

As a thank you, all donors who come to give will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value).

Donors of all blood types, especially type O and those giving platelets, are urged to make an appointment to give now. Right now, the Red Cross is working around the clock to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants.

As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care.

In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging. Many Americans received their vaccinations and have resumed summer activities after more than a year of limited COVID-19-restricted interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout.

“The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday break,” the Red Cross’ Christine Welch said. “Patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions. Donors are needed now to prevent further delays to patient care.”

Those wishing to participate in the Canyon Lake blood drive are encouraged to 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, Christine said. Knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine donors received is important in determining donation eligibility.

The Canyon Lake Blood Drive will take place at the Canyon Lake Golf & Country Club outside the gated community on July 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Country Club is located at 32001 Railroad Canyon Road.