American Red Cross -- WNC Chapter -- Asks Donors to Donate Now!

THREE BLOOD TYPES AT LESS THAN A DAY'S SUPPLY

(Western North Carolina) - Two weeks into the new year, the American Red Cross faces a severe shortage of several blood types. Locally, supplies of type O negative, B negative and A negative blood are at less than a day's supply despite repeated calls to donors to give blood over the past month.

The Red Cross is asking blood donors to donate immediately to prevent supply levels from dropping even further in the coming days and weeks.

"It is important to note that coming off of a major holiday period, the need for blood never takes a holiday," says Patrick Fitzsimmons, Executive Director of the Asheville-Mountain Area Red Cross. "In addition to the holiday challenges, during the winter, donations drop and the supply of blood often dips to dangerously low levels."

While all blood types are needed, the low supply of type O blood is of particular concern. Type O is the most commonly used blood type. O negative blood can be used for all patients, but it is often essential to the treatment of trauma patients, newborns and women who are pregnant.

Following is a list of bloodmobile drives scheduled in the area. Donors must be at least 17 year's old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. Donors are required to have positive photo identification and are encouraged to make an appointment by calling the number listed. Please, make an appointment today.

Full list of blood drives in western North Carolina.

Sunday, January 13
8:30a.m.-1p.m.
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
10 N. Liberty Street
Asheville, 28801
253-0043

Sunday, January 20
9:30a.m.-1:30p.m.
Beth Ha - Tephila Congregation
43 N. Liberty Street
Asheville, 28801
683-6289

Sunday, January 20
12p.m.-4:30p.m.
Weaverville UMC
85 N. Main Street 
Weaverville, 28787
658-9908

Monday, January 21
10a.m.-2:30p.m.
Arden Community Health Fair @ Arden 7th Day Adventist Church
35 Airport Road
Arden, 28704
685-2344

Tuesday, January 22
2:30p.m.-7p.m.
Beverly Hills Baptist Church
777 Tunnel Road
Asheville, 28805
299-9233, 
after 1p.m.

Wednesday, January 23
3:30p.m.-8p.m.
Biltmore Baptist Church
35 Clayton Road
Arden, 28704
687-1111, 
ext. 207

Friday, January 25
2p.m.-7p.m.
Biltmore Masonic Lodge 446 @ Land of Sky Shrine Club
Jim's Branch Road
Asheville, 28806
274-2081

Sunday, January 27
9a.m.-1:30p.m.
The Rock of Asheville
273 Monte Vista Road
Candler, 28715
670-7625

Monday, January 28
1:30p.m.-7p.m.
Glen Arden Elementary School
50 Pinehurst Circle
Arden, 28704
654-1800

Monday, January 28
3p.m.-7p.m.
Trinity of Fairview
276 Concord Road
Fletcher, 28732
628-1188

Tuesday, January 29
3p.m.-7:30p.m.
Trinity Baptist Church
216 Shelburne Road
Asheville, 28806
254-2187

Tuesday, January 29
2p.m.-6:30p.m.
North Point Baptist Church
110 Monticello Road
Weaverville, 28787
658-2226

Wednesday, January 30
2p.m.-6:30p.m.
AB Tech - Enka Campus
1459 Sand Hill Road
Candler, 28715
430-0826

Thursday, January 31
9a.m.-2p.m.
Erwin Middle School
20 Erwin Hills Road
Asheville, 28806
232-4264

Thursday, January 31
2:30p.m.-6:30p.m.
New Morgan Hill Baptist Church
370 Lake Drive
Candler, 28715
667-4313

Asheville Blood Collection Center:

ASHEVILLE BLOOD CENTER, LOCATED AT 100 EDGEWOOD ROAD

Asheville Blood Center Hours:

These additional hours have been added due to blood shortage:

Positive photo ID is required and appointments are strongly suggested. Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE for an appointment or 1-877-975-2835 for platelet donations.

Donors are asked to visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543). The Carolinas Blood Services Region needs 1,600 blood donations a day in order to adequately supply the 103 hospitals it serves. Donors must be age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds.