HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Blood donations remain low since the start of the pandemic. The American Red Cross says the number of African American blood donors have dropped by more than half since mid-March. It's also really low in the African American community in the Tennessee Valley.
"We believe these numbers have decreased in large part due to blood drive cancellations, churches and school, as well as a disproportionate COVID-19 infection rate in the African American community," says American Red Cross Spokesperson, Ronnika McFall.
McFall says the need for blood donors is critical because of the need for patients with sickle cell, which is a blood disorder. North Alabama Red Cross Executive Director, Khris Anderson, says she's seen a significant drop too.
"Across the blood region we've had a 50 percent reduction in blood donations from African Americans," says Anderson.
McFall says a diverse blood supply is needed to match a patient with sickle cell. Without the blood supply it's a vicious cycle.
"Sickle cell patients are at a high risk of serious complications from Coronavirus infection, and blood transfusion can be a life saver," says McFall.
McFall believes it's not fear of donating blood during the pandemic that's a problem. She says the Red Cross does patient temperature checks and donor centers are also sanitized.
"There's just so many reasons outside of fear. I don't think that it's fear because the American Red Cross is doing everything we can to encourage blood donations," added McFall.
The Red Cross encourages organizations and churches to host blood drives. "What we're doing is really making an appeal for anybody that is healthy and anybody that can, to come out and give," says Anderson.
Check out a list of upcoming blood donation opportunities.
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Huntsville
5/15/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/16/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/17/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/18/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
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Florence
5/15/2020 | 10:00 a.m. - 03:00 p.m., 1915 Avalon Ave Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
5/19/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Cornerstone Church of Christ - Lauderdale Co, 12101 Hwy 20
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Huntsville
5/19/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/20/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/22/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/23/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/24/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/25/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/26/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/27/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
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Florence
5/28/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Florence Fire and Police - Battle of the Badges, 702 S Seminary Street
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Huntsville
5/29/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/30/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
5/31/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/1/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/2/2020: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Turner Construction, 5435 Fowler Road Building 5435
6/2/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
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Rogersville
6/3/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Rogersville Fire Department, 36 Wheeler Street
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Huntsville
6/3/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/5/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/6/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/7/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/8/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/9/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/10/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/12/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
6/13/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
How to donate blood:
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 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 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.