Blood donation shortages across the country have prompted the Red Cross to issue a call for eligible donors in Orange County.

“Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in,” explained Nick Gehrig, the communications director for Red Cross Blood Services.

Recent bouts of snowfall forced 33 blood drives in North Carolina to cancel, which caused nearly 1,200 donations to go uncollected.

“The need for blood doesn’t pause for severe weather,” emphasized Gehrig, whose department noted that the Red Cross received 37,000 fewer donations than expected in November and December.

Residents of Chapel Hill and Hillsborough who wish to donate blood and help the Red Cross fight shortages may do so by attending at least one of the following blood drives:

  • 01/13 from 1430 to 1930 at 1050 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill
  • 01/16 from 1300 to 1730 at 216 N Robertson St, Chapel Hill
  • 01/17 from 1000 to 1430 at 302 Meadowland Dr, Hillsborough
  • 01/26 from 1100 to 1500 at 2500 NC 86 S, Hillsborough
  • 01/31 from 1000 to 1430 at 800 Market St, Chapel Hill

Complimentary fruit juice and cookies may be provided to donors on site. Donors are also encouraged by the Red Cross to drink an extra 32 ounces of non-alcoholic liquids and consume iron-rich foods after giving blood.

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