Red Cross Urges Blood Donations as Sandy Forces Blood Drive Cancellations

Hurricane Sandy has forced the cancellation of more than 300 American Red Cross blood drives in 14 states along the East Coast, resulting in a shortfall of nearly 9,000 blood and platelet donations already.

The shortfall is expected to grow as Sandy is causing power outages and flooding in many areas. All eligible donors in unaffected parts of the country are encouraged to roll up a sleeve and give blood or platelets.

"Just as Red Cross volunteers have mobilized to provide disaster relief and other emergency assistance, we are mobilizing blood and platelets donations to ensure patients have access to the potentially lifesaving blood products they need," said Michele Wright, CEO, of the Red Cross Greater Ozarks-Arkansas Blood Region. "When you donate blood or platelets through the Red Cross, you can help patients in your local community and patients across the country, including those in Hurricane Sandy's path."

The Red Cross partners with more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country, providing blood products donated by giving individuals, and specialized laboratory services. While Hurricane Sandy affects the number of people available to donate, patients will still need blood and platelets despite the weather.

All blood types are needed to ensure an adequate blood supply is available during a disaster, especially type O positive, O negative, A negative or B negative blood. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Upcoming Blood Drives

Arkansas County

• Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, 2807 Highway 165 South in Stuttgart, Ark.
• Nov. 13 from 12-6 p.m. at Harmony Baptist Church, 910 E. 19th St. in Stuttgart, Ark.

Bradley County

• Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hermitage Community Center, 416 S. Hickory St. in Hermitage, Ark.

Clark County

• Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita St. in Arkadelphia, Ark.
• Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ouachita Baptist University, 410 Ouachita St. in Arkadelphia, Ark.

Cleburne County

• Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Arkansas State University, 101 River Crest Drive in Heber Springs, Ark.

Conway County

• Nov. 12 from 1-5 p.m. at Walmart, 1621 N. Business 9 in Morrilton, Ark.
• Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Morrilton High School, 701 E. Harding in Morrilton, Ark.
• Nov. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Wonderview High School, 2346 Highway 95 North in Hattieville, Ark.

Dallas County

• Nov. 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Dallas County Medical Center, 201 N. Clifton in Fordyce, Ark.

Faulkner County

• Nov. 5 from 3-7 p.m. at Walgreen's, 850 Oak St. in Conway, Ark.
• Nov. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Mount Vernon-Enola High School, 38 Garland Springs Road in Mount Vernon, Ark.
• Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Central Baptist College, 1501 College Ave. in Conway, Ark.
• Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at University of Central Arkansas Estes Stadium, 201 Donaghey Ave. in Conway, Ark.
• Nov. 14 from 3-7 p.m. at Knights of Columbus, 515 E. Sixth St. in Conway, Ark.
• Nov. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at International Paper, 730 Enterprise Ave. in Conway, Ark.

Garland County

• Nov. 6 from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Village United Methodist Church, 200 Carmona Road in Hot Springs Village, Ark.

Jefferson County

• Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1610 W. 42nd St. in Pine Bluff, Ark.
• Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1610 W. 42nd St. in Pine Bluff, Ark.

Lincoln County

• Nov. 13 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 200 W. Wiley in Star City, Ark.

Ouachita County

• Nov. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Harmony Grove High School, 401 Ouachita Road 88 in Camden, Ark.

Pope County

• Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.
• Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Russellville Blood Donation Center, 1003 W. Main in Russellville, Ark.

Prairie County

• Nov. 12 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 401 Erwin St. in Des Arc, Ark.
• Nov. 12 from 2-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 295 N. Hazen Ave. in Hazen, Ark.

Pulaski County

• Oct. 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Windstream Communications Building 3, 4001 Rodney Parham in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Joe T. Robinson High School, 21501 Highway 10 in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 2 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 4548 JFK Blvd. in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, 10900 N. Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at John L. McClellan Memorial VA Hospital, 4300 W. Seventh St. in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Baptist Health Medical Center, 3333 Springhill Drive in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 4548 JFK Blvd. in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stephens Building, 111 Center St. in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 7 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Baptist Health Medical Center, 3333 Springhill Drive in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 7 from 12-4 p.m. at St. Vincent Medical Center, 2215 Wildwood Ave. in Sherwood, Ark.
• Nov. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Little Rock Christian Academy, 19010 Highway 10 in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 4548 JFK Blvd. in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 9 from 1-5 p.m. at Arkansas Pain Centers, 308 Smokey Lane in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 10 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 12 from 12-4 p.m. at First Electric Cooperative, 1000 S. JP Wright Loop Road in Jacksonville, Ark.
• Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Baptist Health Schools, 11900 Colonel Glenn Road in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 4548 JFK Blvd. in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Baptist Health Schools, 11900 Colonel Glenn Road in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Healthscope Benefits, 27 Corporate Hill Drive in Little Rock, Ark.
• Nov. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Little Rock Blood Donation Center, 401 S. Monroe in Little Rock, Ark.

Saline County

• Nov. 2 from 1:30-5 p.m. at First Electric Cooperative, 7163 Alcoa Road in Benton, Ark.
• Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bauxite High School, 800 School St. in Bauxite, Ark.
• Nov. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northside Church of Christ, 917 N. East in Benton, Ark.

Van Buren County

• Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at South Side High School, 334 Southside Road in Bee Branch, Ark.

White County

• Oct. 31 from 1-7 p.m. at Hammon Student Center, 900 E. Center in Searcy, Ark.
• Oct. 31 from 1-7 p.m. at Hammon Student Center, 900 E. Center in Searcy, Ark.
• Nov. 2 from 12-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1120 S. Main St. in Searcy, Ark.
• Nov. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Beebe High School ROTC Building, 1201 W. Center St. in Beebe, Ark.
• Nov. 6 from 12-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1120 S. Main St. in Searcy, Ark.
• Nov. 9 from 12-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1120 S. Main St. in Searcy, Ark.
• Nov. 13 from 12-6 p.m. at American Red Cross Blood Center, 1120 S. Main St. in Searcy, Ark.
• Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Arkansas State University, 1000 Iowa in Beebe, Ark.

How to Help

The Red Cross has mobilized disaster volunteers and is providing safe shelter from Hurricane Sandy to thousands of people in the storm's path. The Red Cross is working closely with federal, state and local government officials, as well as community partners to coordinate response efforts.

To help people affected by disasters like this, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to a local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.