Officials with the American Red Cross issued a rare crisis call for blood donors Monday, as donations hit a four-year summer low.
The Red Cross said thousands of people donated during an emergency blood shortage declared earlier this month, but supplies are still not keeping pace with hospital demand. Extreme heat, poor air quality and this summer's outbreak of the foodborne illness cyclosporiasis have lowered donation rates.
The Red Cross said all blood types are needed, but especially type O. The Red Cross is now limiting the distribution of type O products to hospitals, and the supply of type O-positive blood has dropped below a one-day supply.
Donors are being urged to book an appointment using the Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a thank-you, people who donate by July 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). Those who donate in August will receive a $20 Amazon gift card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/August.
Here are upcoming blood donation opportunities in Sedgwick County:
Clearwater
Aug. 1: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., United Methodist Church, 130 N. 1st
Colwich
Aug. 24: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sacred Heart Hall, 351 S. 5th
Derby
Aug. 13: Noon - 6 p.m., Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 431 S Woodlawn Blvd
Garden Plain
Today (July 27): 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Anthony's School, 635 N. Main St.
Mulvane
Aug. 24: Noon - 6 p.m., Pix Center, 101 E. Main Street
Valley Center
Today (July 27): Noon - 6 p.m., Valley Center City Hall, 121 S. Meridian
Wichita
Tuesday, July 28: 11:30 a.m. - 6:15 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N. Main; noon- 6 p.m., Chicken N Pickle, 1240 N Greenwich Rd.
Wednesday, July 29: 11 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N. Main
Thursday, July 30: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Pathway Church, 2001 N. Maize Rd.; 11 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Friday, July 31: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Saturday, Aug. 1: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Sunday, Aug. 2: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 4: 11:30 a.m. - 6:15 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 5: 11 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 6: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Evergreen Community Center and Library, 2601 N. Arkansas; 11 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 7: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 8: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 9: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 600 N. Greenwich; 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 10: Noon - 6 p.m., Ascension Via Christi Hospital St Francis, 929 St Francis
Aug. 11: 11:30 a.m. - 6:15 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 12: 11 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 13: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wichita City Hall, 455 North Main; 11 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 14: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 15: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 16: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 17: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., West Heights Methodist Church, 745 N. Westlink
Aug. 18: 11:30 a.m. - 6:15 p.m., Wichita KS Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 19: 11 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 20: 11 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 21: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 22: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 23: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 24: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Robert J Dole VA Medical Center and Regional Office, 5500 E. Kellogg
Aug. 25: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., NetApp, 1850 Innovation Blvd; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Phoenix Home Care And Hospice, 3450 N Rock Rd; 11:30 a.m. - 6:15 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 26: 11 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 27: 11 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main
Aug. 28: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N Main; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wesley Medical Center, 550 N Hillside; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Restoration Family Services, 3450 N Rock Rd.
