WISCONSIN — The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid this rapidly changing and complex public health crisis. At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed. Donors are needed to make and keep scheduled appointments to help meet the current need.

It’s important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. So, they must constantly be replenished. There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions; including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities: 

Green County

Monroe: 12:30 to 6 p.m. on June 18 at Monroe Bible Church, 2613 8th Ave.

New Glarus: 12 to 6 p.m. on June 3 at New Glarus Bible Church, 207 6th St.

Albany: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. on June 16 at Lions Building, 402 Cincinnati St.

Monticello: 12 to 5 p.m. on June 26 at Zwingli United Church of Christ, 416 E. Lake Ave.

Lafayette County

Benton: 1 to 5 p.m. on June 9 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 237 E. Main

Darlington: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. on June 9 at American Legion, 1400 Keep St.

Blanchardville: 1 to 6 p.m. on June 15 at American Legion, 218 Mason

Argyle: 1 to 6 p.m. on June 24 at Corner Stone Lutheran Church, 1540 Old Wisconsin 81