LYNN — The American Red Cross is coming to Lynn as the organization continues to deal with a blood and platelet shortage.
Blood drives will take place at the Knights of Columbus, 177 Lynnfield St., on Tuesday, Oct. 19 from 2 to 7 p.m.; at the Demakes Family YMCA on Thursday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and at the Lynn Knights of Columbus on Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 2 to 7 p.m.
Fall is typically a time when the blood supply needs to rebound from summer blood shortages, according to the organization, but a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country due to the Delta variant has contributed to the lowest donor turnout of the year for the Red Cross. The nonprofit said its blood supply has dropped to the lowest post-summer level in at least six years.
In recent weeks, the Red Cross has been working with less than a day’s supply of certain blood types. To shore up inventory, the Red Cross needs 10,000 additional blood products each week this month to meet hospital and patient needs. The Red Cross is in need of donors of all blood types, especially Type O, which is the universal blood type used for transfusions.
To donate blood, people need to bring a blood-donor card, driver’s license, or two other forms of identification; this identification is required at check-in. People who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High-school students and other donors ages 18 and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.
The Red Cross supplies 40 percent of the U.S. blood supply. Interested donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online — on the day of donation — from a mobile device or computer.
