The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expecting a severe flu season this year, and that could have a negative impact on the nation’s already-struggling blood supply. The American Red Cross continues to address an emergency blood shortage, and donors of all blood types – especially type O – are needed to make an appointment now to help ensure it doesn’t get worse as we move into winter.
To encourage donations this month, all who come to give Nov. 1-23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Those who come to give around the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 24-28, will receive a pair of Red Cross socks, while supplies last.
Blood Donation Opportunities
Nov. 16-30, 2021
Media contact: Sue Thesenga, 651-895-7542, @mnredcross RedCrossBlood.org
Flu season may further impact Red Cross blood supply
Emergency blood shortage continues
MANKATO, Minn. (Nov. 8, 2021) – As the holidays approach and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns about a potential spike in flu cases this year, it’s important that those who are eligible, healthy and feeling well make an appointment to donate blood. The American Red Cross continues to address an ongoing emergency blood shortage, and donors are urged to give now to combat the lowest blood supply levels at this time of year in more than a decade.
According to the CDC, flu cases reached an all-time low last year due to masking, physical distancing and shutdowns across the country, and many Americans may have reduced immunity this year. When seasonal illness increases, the number of healthy blood donors tends to decrease. Paired with winter weather, busy holiday schedules and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the already-struggling blood supply could be further impacted throughout winter.
There is no blood donation waiting period for those who have received a flu shot or a Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or booster, so long as they are symptom-free. Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
To encourage donors to help meet the needs of hospital patients this month, all who come to donate Nov. 1-23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon.* Those who come to give around the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 24-28, will receive a pair of Red Cross socks, while supplies last.
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 16-30
Blue Earth County
Madison Lake
11/30/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., All Saints Catholic Church, 601 4th St.
Mankato
11/17/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Blue Earth County Library, 100 E. Main St.
11/19/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Blue Earth County Library, 100 E. Main St.
11/24/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Blue Earth County Library, 100 E. Main St.
11/26/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 1123 Marsh St.
Mapleton
11/18/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, 102 Central Ave. N.
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Brown County
New Ulm
11/16/2021: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cathedral High School, 600 N. Washington
11/18/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Student Center, 1995 Luther Court
11/19/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Anytime Fitness, 512 First St. S.
Sleepy Eye
11/16/2021: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Sleepy Eye High School, 400 4th Ave. SW
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Carver County
Chanhassen
11/27/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Cub Foods, 7900 Market Blvd.
Chaska
11/17/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Two Twelve Medical Center, 111 Hundertmark Road
Hamburg
11/22/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Emanuel Lutheran School, 18175 County Road 50
Waconia
11/30/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Waconia Ford, 235 Highway 5 W.
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Dodge County
Hayfield
11/17/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hayfield High School, County Highway 31
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Fillmore County
Chatfield
11/19/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 124 Winona East St.
Harmony
11/30/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Community Center, 225 Third Ave. SW
Spring Valley
11/18/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 200 S. Broadway
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Freeborn County
Albert Lea
11/19/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 702 Highway 69 S.
11/26/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., North Bridge Mall, 2510 Bridge Ave.
Glenville
11/29/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Round Prairie Lutheran Church, 12881 757th Ave.
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Goodhue County
Red Wing
11/22/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., YMCA, 434 Main St.
Welch
11/18/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Vasa Lutheran Center, 15235 Norelius Road
11/19/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vasa Lutheran Center, 15235 Norelius Road
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Le Sueur County
Cleveland
11/23/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Cleveland Public School, 400 6th St.
Le Sueur
11/26/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Le Sueur Community Center, 821 E. Ferry St.
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Martin County
Fairmont
11/30/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Holiday Inn, 1201 Torgerson Drive
Truman
11/22/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 313 N. 1st Ave. W.
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Mower County
Adams
11/29/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Southland High School, 203 Second St.
Austin
11/16/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1200 NW 13th Ave.
11/17/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hormel Historical Home, 208 4th Ave. NW
11/30/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Crane Community Chapel, 1111 9th St.
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Nicollet County
Courtland
11/22/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Courtland Community Center, 300 Railroad St.
North Mankato
11/23/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., South Central College, 1920 Lee Blvd.
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Rice County
Faribault
11/22/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., District One Hospital, 200 State Ave.
Lonsdale
11/24/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion, 115 Second Ave. NW
Northfield
11/24/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Community Resource Bank, 1605 Heritage Drive
11/26/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 418 Sumner St. E.
11/27/2021: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 803 Winona St.
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Scott County
Belle Plaine
11/20/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Belle Plaine Fire Department, 700 Main St. E.
New Market
11/30/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Scott County Library-Market Village, 100 J. Roberts Way
New Prague
11/17/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., New Prague Fire Department, 505 5th Ave. NW
Savage
11/29/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center, 13550 Dakota Ave.
Shakopee
11/18/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Shakopee Community Center, 1255 Fuller St.
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Sibley County
Arlington
11/19/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Community Center, 204 Shamrock Drive
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Steele County
Blooming Prairie
11/29/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Blooming Prairie High School, 202 4th Ave. NW
Medford
11/26/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Medford Outlet Center, 6750 W. Frontage Road
Owatonna
11/16/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Owatonna Community Education Building, 122 E. McKinley St.
11/19/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Associated Church, 800 Havana Road
11/26/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2500 7th Ave. NE
11/29/2021: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., McKinley Elementary School, 1050 22nd St. NE
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Wabasha County
Lake City
11/24/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lincoln High School, 300 S. Garden St.
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Waseca County
Janesville
11/18/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 412 N. Main St.
Waseca
11/29/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion, 700 S. State St.
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Watonwan County
Saint James
11/25/2021: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., National Guard Armory, 521 Armstrong Blvd. N.
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Winona County
Stockton
11/17/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., City of Stockton, 8600 D St.
Winona
11/26/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., YMCA Winona, 902 Parks Ave.
11/26/2021: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Legion Post #9, 302 E. Sarnia
