PEORIA, Ill. (Oct. 30, 2012) — Hurricane Sandy has forced the cancellation of approximately 300 American Red Cross blood drives in 14 states along the East Coast, resulting in a shortfall of nearly 9,000 blood and platelet donations already.

The shortfall is expected to grow as Sandy is causing power outages and flooding in many areas. All eligible donors in unaffected parts of the country are encouraged to roll up a sleeve and give blood or platelets.

“Just as Red Cross volunteers have mobilized to provide disaster relief and other emergency assistance, we are mobilizing blood and platelet donations to ensure patients have access to the potentially lifesaving blood products they need,” said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the Heart of America Blood Services Region. “When you donate blood or platelets through the Red Cross, you can help patients in your local community and patients across the country, including those in Hurricane Sandy’s path.”

The Red Cross partners with more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country, providing blood products donated by giving individuals, and specialized laboratory services. While Hurricane Sandy affects the number of people available to donate, patients will still need blood and platelets despite the weather.

All blood types are needed to ensure an adequate blood supply is available during a disaster, especially type O positive, O negative, A negative or B negative blood. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Upcoming Blood Drives

Fulton County
Nov. 12 from 2:45-6:45 p.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 156 E. Vernon in Farmington, Ill.

Marshall County
Nov. 14 from 12-6 p.m. at American Legion, Santa Fe Street in Toluca, Ill.

Peoria County
Oct. 30 from 9 am- 1 pm, Brimfield High School, 323 Clinton St. in Brimfield, Ill.

Oct. 30 from 11 am- 6 pm, Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 West John H Gwynn Jr Avenue in Peoria

Oct. 31 from 6:30 am- 3 pm, Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 West John H Gwynn Jr Avenue in Peoria

Oct. 31 from 8 am- 2 pm, Peoria County Courthouse, 324 Main Street in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 1 from 7-11:30 a.m. at Proctor Professional Building, 5409 N. Knoxville in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Proctor Professional Building, 5409 N. Knoxville in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 2 from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 3 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 10811 Knoxville Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 5 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 1010 S. Louisa St. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 5 from 12-6 p.m. at Markin Center, 819 N. Glenwood in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 6 from 12-6 p.m. at Markin Center, 819 N. Glenwood in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 7 from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 7 from 12-6 p.m. at Markin Center, 819 N. Glenwood in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 9 from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 9 from 2-6 p.m. at Elmwood Elementary School, 501 N. Morgan in Elmwood, Ill.

Nov. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at OSF Patient Accounts and Access Center, 7915 N. Hale Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 10 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 14 from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Peoria Blood Donation Center, 405 W. John H. Gwynn Jr. Ave. in Peoria, Ill.

Tazewell County
Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Rivers Edge United Methodist Church, 500 N. Chicago St. in Spring Bay, Ill.

Nov. 5 from 12:30-6:30 p.m. at Five Points Washington, 360 N. Wilmor in Washington, Ill.

Nov. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dee Mack High School, 401 E. Fifth St. in Mackinaw, Ill.

Nov. 12 from 1-6:30 p.m. at Baptist Church, 105 E. Walnut St. in Tremont, Ill.

Nov. 12 from 2-7 p.m. at Mackinaw Christian Church, 201 S. Orchard in Mackinaw, Ill.

Nov. 14 from 3:15-7:15 p.m. at LaSalle Elementary School, 300 N. Highland Ave. in Creve Coeur, Ill.

Nov. 15 from 12-6 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 101 N. Eighth St. in Pekin, Ill.

How to Help
The Red Cross has mobilized disaster volunteers and is providing safe shelter from Hurricane Sandy to thousands of people in the storm’s path. The Red Cross is working closely with federal, state and local government officials, as well as community partners to coordinate response efforts.

To help people affected by disasters like this, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to a local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.