Blood donors needed in Burke County as Red Cross supply drops sharply

Burke County residents are being asked to donate blood this month as the American Red Cross warns of an emergency shortage that could affect hospitals’ ability to provide timely care.

The Red Cross said its blood supply fell nearly 25% in June, creating an urgent need for donors, especially those with O positive and B negative blood and those able to give platelets.

The organization said donations have dropped steeply since late May, while hospital demand remains high during the summer trauma season.

The Red Cross said it is distributing nearly 3,500 more units per week to hospitals than expected. At the same time, summer schedules and the seasonal loss of school blood drives have reduced the number of donors.

“A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross. “Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible.”

Lawrence said emergency departments, operating rooms, labor and delivery units and cancer care all depend on an available blood supply.

Two blood drives are scheduled in the Morganton area:

Thursday, July 16

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Summit Community Church, Fellowship Hall

407 S. Green St., Morganton

Wednesday, July 22

10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Town of Rutherford College, Community Room

980 Malcolm Blvd., Rutherford College

The Red Cross is encouraging donors to make appointments through the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

As an incentive, anyone who comes to give blood from July 13-31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email, up to a $15 ticket price and fees, according to the Red Cross.