COLUMBUS, OH - The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now in order to prevent a blood shortage. 

The potential blood shortage could span throughout the winter, which would affect patient care. Currently, the Red Cross only has a three-day supply of most blood types on hand, which is below the five-day supply needed to respond to emergencies and daily hospital needs.

Over 27,000 fewer blood and platelet donation s were collected during the weeks of Christmas and New Years than needed to sustain a sufficient blood supply, according to the American Red Cross. About 1,350 fewer blood drives were hosted by volunteer sponsor groups during this period. 

"Many people may not realize that blood products are perishable, and the only source of lifesaving blood for patients is volunteer blood donors," Rodney Wilson, communications manager for the Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region, said. "When donations decline, lifesaving medical treatments could be delayed, especially if winter weather and flu season further complicate the situation."

The American Red Cross urges Donors, especially those with type-0 blood, to make an appointment to give in the coming days to help restock the shelves for hospital patients. 

Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter.

"We hope people can resolve to save lives now - when there is an emergency need - as well as throughout the year." Wilson stated in a press release.

The following blood drives are currently planned in North Central Ohio:

Crawford County

Bucyrus

1/14/2019: 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Bucyrus Elementary School, 245 Woodlawn Ave

1/15/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hord Livestock, 911 St RT 98

1/16/2019: 7:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Wynford High School, 3288 Holmes Center Road

1/16/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., First Alliance Church, 1955 Hopley Ave

1/24/2019: 6:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., General Electric, 1250 Walnut Street

1/30/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Bucyrus High School, 900 W. Perry Street

2/5/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Amvets Post 27 - Bucyrus, 235 E Galen St

 

Crestline

1/29/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Crestline High School, 7854 Oldfield Road

 

Galion

2/1/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Northmor High School, 7819 Ohio 19

2/12/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Galion Alliance Church, 430 Portland Way N

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Knox County

 

Centerburg

2/12/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Centerburg Church of Christ, 3830 Columbus Road

 

Fredericktown

1/15/2019: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Batemantown Methodist Church, 7669 Yankee Street

 

Gambier

1/29/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Kenyon College, Gund Commons-Gaskin Ave

 

Howard

1/17/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., East Knox High School, 23227 Coshocton Road

1/17/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., East Knox High School, 23227 Coshocton Road

2/14/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Apple Valley, 850 Crestrose Drive

 

Martinsburg

2/6/2019: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Church of Christ, 126 E.South Street

2/6/2019: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Church of Christ, 126 E.South Street

 

Mount Vernon

1/16/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Knox County Career Center, 306 Martinsburg Rd

1/17/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Moose Lodge, 417 W. High Street

1/22/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Gay Street United Methodist Church, 18 N. Gay Street

1/24/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Glenn A. Gallagher Centre, 1451 Gambier Rd.

2/5/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mount Vernon Nazarene University, 800 Martinsburg Road

2/7/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., E Merge Real Estate, 110 Coshocton Ave Suite A

2/8/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene, 16001 Glen Road

2/13/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Knox County Career Center Educational Training and Facility for Health and Wellness, 1481 Yauger Rd

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Marion County

Caledonia

2/2/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Caledonia Memorial UMC, 245 South Main St.

 

La Rue

1/19/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., LaRue Methodist Church, 166 North High Street

 

Marion

2/4/2019: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Marion Public Library, 445 E Church Street

2/12/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ohio State University at Marion and Marion Technical College, 1465 Mt. Vernon Avenue #95

2/14/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion Harold L. Bradley Post 584, 142 Olney Ave.

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Morrow County

Cardington

2/2/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Cardington First United Methodist Church, 300 South Marion Street

2/15/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Cardington Lincoln High School, 349 Chesterville Avenue

 

Iberia

2/14/2019: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Washington Twp Trustee Building, 3612 Cemetery Rd

 

Marengo

2/8/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Marengo United Methodist Church, 8 North Main Street

 

Mount Gilead

1/14/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 75 East High Street

1/22/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mt Gilead Church of Christ, 322 Iberia Street

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Richland County

Butler

2/1/2019: 3 p.m. - 9 p.m., Mohican Wood Products, 20460 Nunda

 

Lucas

2/6/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lucas High School, 5 First Avenue

 

Mansfield

1/14/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street

1/16/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street

1/17/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Schmidt Security Pro, 241 Mansfield Industrial Parkway

1/18/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., First Church of God, 1756 Park Avenue West

1/20/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Richland Mall, 2209 Richland Mall

1/20/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., St. Mary's Church, 1630 Ashland Road

1/21/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street

1/22/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Crossroads Community Church, 1188 Park Ave West

1/23/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street

1/28/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street

1/30/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street

1/31/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., OSU Mansfield - NC State - Eisenhower Center, 1760 University Drive

2/4/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street

2/5/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Berean Baptist, 2145 Middle Bellville Road

2/6/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street

2/7/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St. Peter's High School, 111 West First Street

2/8/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, 335 Glessner Ave

2/11/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street

2/13/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street

 

Shelby

2/15/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Pioneer Career & Tech Center, 27 Ryan Rd

 

Shiloh

1/18/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Blooming Grove Twp Community Blood Drive, 466 Ohio 603