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Flu Season Taking Toll on Blood Supply

NPR

With Georgia being one of the states hit hardest by flu, the Red Cross says the illness, combined with severe winter weather, means eligible donors are needed.

“Right now the American Red Cross continues to have a critical need for all blood and platelet donors to come to give,” according to Kristen Stancil, Communications Manager with the organization. “We do encourage everybody that’s eligible to roll up a sleeve and we’re looking for everybody whose able to give, and healthy, to find a donation location near them.”

She says about 600 blood drives have been canceled so far this year.

“Winter’s actually one of our most challenging times of the year for blood collections because of winter weather and because sometimes blood drives get canceled or people aren’t able to make it to blood drives that we do have.”

And the flu has resulted in fewer people turning out at those that are being held.

“With the flu, we have seen a lot of donors not being able to come to give because they are sick, so that’s why we definitely have that need for healthy donors who are eligible to come and give now.”

The Red Cross will also work with those wanting to host a blood drive.

“If you don’t see a location near you, we’re always looking for blood drive sponsors as well. Bring Red Cross out to your community, we would love to set up a blood drive at your work place, school, in your business areas. Please be sure to get in touch with us.”

Upcoming blood drives:

Clarke

Athens

2/15/2018: 9:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/16/2018: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/17/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/18/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/18/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Athens, 185 E. Hancock Ave.

2/19/2018: 12:45 - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/20/2018: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Carrier Transicold, 700 Olympic Drive

2/20/2018: 12:45 - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/21/2018: 12 - 5 p.m., Georgia Power, 205 Dairy Pak Road

2/21/2018: 12:45 - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/21/2018: 2 - 7 p.m., University of Georgia Christian Campus Fellowship, 1080 South Milledge Ave.

2/22/2018: 9:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/23/2018: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/24/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/25/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/26/2018: 12:45 - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/27/2018: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., University of Georgia Main Library, 320 S Jackson St.

2/27/2018: 12:45 - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

2/28/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Noramco/Training Center, 1440 Olympic Drive

2/28/2018: 12:45 - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, 3525 Atlanta Highway

Jackson

Jefferson

2/26/2018: 2 - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 246 Washington St.

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