Red Cross calls for donors to protect ‘vulnerable’ supply after second-ever national blood crisis

Blood supplies FILE PHOTO: The American Red Cross declares National Blood Supply Crisis. (MARGARET JOHNSON/MargJohnsonVA - stock.adobe.com)

By John Blinn

The American Red Cross is renewing its call for blood donations as the organization works to keep its supply stable during the fall.

Over the summer, the American Red Cross declared a national blood crisis, only the second time in its history, because of a severe shortage.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> American Red Cross declares national blood crisis for only second time in its history

While some improvements happened, the Red Cross says the blood supply still remains vulnerable after that shortage and is calling for donors to act sooner rather than later to help protect it.

Anyone who donates between Sept. 1-20 will receive an exclusive Red Cross Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last. Anyone who donates between Sept. 21-Oct. 18 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.

If you would like to donate blood, you can schedule an appointment online, on the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, or over the phone by calling 1-800-733-2767.

The Red Cross has provided a list of all donations scheduled for the Pittsburgh area this month. You can view that list below.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY

  • September 11, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Carnegie Mellon University – University Center, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh
  • September 11, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: The Buncher Company, 1251 Waterfront Pl, One Waterfront Place, Pittsburgh
  • September 15, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.: The Allegheny County Public Safety Training Campus, 700 W Ridge Rd., McCandless
  • September 17, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Wesco Express, 100 Global View Dr., Warrendale
  • September 18, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.: American Red Cross, 250 Alpha Dr., Pittsburgh
  • September 18, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: The Kingsley Association Community Center, 6435 Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh
  • September 21, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh O’Hara Student Center, 4024 O’Hara St., Pittsburgh
  • September 23, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department, 2044 Ewings Mill Rd., Coraopolis
  • September 24, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Fayette Farms Clubhouse, 115 Saddle Ridge Dr., Oakdale
  • September 24, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3832 Gibsonia Rd., Gibsonia
  • September 25, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Baierl Family YMCA, 2565 Nicholson Rd., Sewickley
  • September 25, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Scott Township Park Community Building, 2 Park Dr., Carnegie
  • September 25, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: South Hills Church of the Nazarene, 5601 Library Rd., Bethel Park
  • September 28, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Sampson Family YMCA, 2200 Golden Mile Highway, Pittsburgh
  • September 29, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Bethel Park Community Center, 5151 Park Ave., Bethel Park
  • September 30, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Kearns Spirituality Center, 9000 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh

ARMSTRONG COUNTY

  • September 11, 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Gilpin Township VFD, 113 Fire Hall Rd., Leechburg
  • September 24, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: American Legion Post 828, 1479 Butler Rd., Worthington
  • September 24, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: First Church of God, 507 20th St., PO Box 5, North Apollo
  • September 30, 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Elderton Volunteer Fire Hall, 305 Williams St., Elderton

BEAVER COUNTY

  • September 9, 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.: American Red Cross, 133 Friendship Cir., Beaver
  • September 14, 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Baden American Legion, 271 State St., Baden
  • September 16, 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Unionville United Methodist Church, 1297 Route 68, Rochester
  • September 21, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Chippewa Township Fire Department, 2568 Darlington Rd., Beaver Falls
  • September 23, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.: American Red Cross, 133 Friendship Cir., Beaver
  • September 23, 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Hookstown Volunteer Fire Company, 102 Silver Slipper Rd., Hookstown

BUTLER COUNTY

  • September 8, 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Sarver, 817 S. Pike Rd., Sarver
  • September 14, 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Cranberry Elks Lodge, 20720 US 19, Cranberry Township
  • September 22, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Penn Township Municipal Building, 157 East Airport Rd., Butler
  • September 30, 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Moniteau High School, 1810 West Sunbury Rd., Route 308, West Sunbury

FAYETTE COUNTY

  • September 15, 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.: American Legion Lafayette Post 51, 508 East Main St., Uniontown
  • September 15, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.: First Christian Church, 512 Second St., Brownsville
  • September 24, 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: St. George Church, 6 Lebanon Terrace, Uniontown
  • September 28, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Fairchance Fire Hall, 31 Pittsburgh St., Fairchance
  • September 28, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 3332 Pittsburgh Rd., Perryopolis

GREENE COUNTY

  • September 22, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.: STAHLS HOTRONIX, One Paisley Ind Park, Carmichaels

INDIANA COUNTY

  • September 21, 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Trinity United Methodist Church, 398 Church St., Indiana
  • September 22, 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.: American Legion Post 493, 79 Mullen Ave., Homer City
  • September 24, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Indiana University of Pennsylvania HUB, 319 Pratt Dr., Indiana
  • September 25, 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Indiana Mall, 2334 Oakland Ave., Indiana
  • September 25, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Plumville Volunteer Fire Hall, 107 Indiana St., Plumville

LAWRENCE COUNTY

  • September 24, 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.: First Baptist Church, 984 West Maitland Ln., New Castle

WASHINGTON COUNTY

  • September 18, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Abundant Life Baptist Church, 269 Cameron Rd., Washington

WESTMORELAND COUNTY

  • September 9, 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Champion Christian School, 1076 Kings Way, Donegal
  • September 9, 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Greensburg Garden and Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Rd., Greensburg
  • September 10, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Murrysville Community Center, 3091 Carson Ave., Murrysville
  • September 10, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Ascension Church, 621 Division St., Jeannette
  • September 14, 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Charter Oak Church, 449 Frye Farm Rd., Greensburg
  • September 16, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Regional Family YMCA of the Laurel Highlands, 490 Bessemer Rd., Mount Pleasant
  • September 16, 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.: First UMC of Irwin, 310 Oak St., Irwin
  • September 16, 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Scottdale Mennonite Church, 801 Market St., Scottdale
  • September 17, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Turkeytown Fire Hall, 90 Supervisors Dr., West Newton
  • September 18, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Harrison City First United Church of Christ, 1008 Harrison City Export Rd., Harrison City
  • September 19, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Our Lady of Grace, 1011 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Greensburg
  • September 22, 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Christian Center Church, 130 Charity Ln., Belle Vernon
  • September 23, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Greensburg Garden and Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Rd., Greensburg
  • September 23, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Trinity Lutheran Church, 331 Weldon St., Latrobe
  • September 29, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: St. Vincent Parish Grove, 320 Monastery Dr., Latrobe
  • September 30, 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Univ of Pittsburgh Smith Hall Lounge, 150 Finoli Dr., Greensburg

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