FROM STAFF REPORTS

The American Red Cross is facing a significant blood and platelet shortage following a sluggish donation period in September and October, and has several upcoming blood drives in Shelby County to help overcome the shortage.

“The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage after a significant shortfall in donations in September and October,” read a Red Cross statement. “With the holidays right around the corner, which historically bring a further decline in donations, blood and platelet donors and volunteer blood drive hosts are urgently needed to avoid delays in medical treatments now and throughout winter.”

During September and October, the Red Cross collected 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than what hospitals needed. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Fewer blood drives in September and October coupled with hurricanes Michael and Florence, which caused thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected, were key contributing factors to the current blood shortage.

The Red Cross is holding the following blood drives in Shelby County during the coming few weeks:

-Nov. 16: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov. 17: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov. 18: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov. 19: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov. 20: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov. 21: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov. 23: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov. 24: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov 25: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov 26: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov. 27: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov. 28: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Nov. 28: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Calera High School, 100 Calera Eagle Drive

-Nov. 30: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Dec. 1: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Dec. 2: 7:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Our Lady of the Valley, 5514 Double Oak Lane

-Dec. 2: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Dec. 3: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Dec. 4: 12:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Dec. 5: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Dec. 7: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Dec. 8: 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace

-Dec. 9: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Caldwell Trace Donor Center, 700 Caldwell Trace