As the American Red Cross responds to Hurricane Florence, providing food, shelter and comfort to those affected, blood and platelet donors are urged to give when it’s safe to travel to care for patients in the storm’s path and across the country. People can also help by making a financial donation to support relief efforts.

Hurricane’s impact on blood and platelet donations

Hurricane Florence’s wrath left catastrophic damage behind and also took a toll on blood and platelet donations. Nearly 200 Red Cross blood drives in the Southeast were forced to cancel, resulting in more than 5,200 uncollected blood and platelet donations. In North Carolina, 57 blood drives were called off due to the storm, causing nearly 2,100 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.

“Natural disasters like hurricanes can disrupt blood drives and prevent donors from giving, but hospital patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “There is an especially critical need for platelets to help cancer patients and type O blood donations for ongoing patient care and emergencies. Every donation can be a lifeline for patients.”

As conditions improve, donors of all blood types are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets and replenish the blood supply. Appointments can be made by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Financial donations are also needed and allow the Red Cross to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Florence by visiting RedCross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Up-to-date information about how the Red Cross is responding to Hurricane Florence is available at RedCross.org.

Rowan

Salisbury

Today: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., JF Hurley Family YMCA, 828 Jake Alexander Blvd

Today: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Midas, 2130 Statesville Blvd

10/1/2018: 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, E.H. Dole Chapter I, 1930 Jake Alexander Blvd West

China Grove

9/30/2018: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church, 750 Mt. Moriah Church Road

10/7/2018: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mt. Zion United Church of Christ, 1415 S. Main Street

Cleveland

10/1/2018: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Cool Springs United Methodist Church, 1902 Mocksville Hwy

Faith

10/14/2018: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Faith Baptist, 203 N Main Street

Rockwell

10/9/2018: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Saleeby-Fisher YMCA, 790 Crescent Road