The Red Cross says African-American blood donors are critically needed to help patients battling Sickle Cell Anemia. Donor numbers have dropped by more than half since mid-March. According to Red Cross spokesperson Ronnika McFall says there are several reasons for the decline.
“Understandably, we believe this number has decreased in large part due to blood drive cancelations at businesses, churches and schools; as well as a disproportionate COVID-19 infection rate for African-Americans compared to other ethnicities,” according to McFall.
Sickle Cell patients are at risk for a host of ailments that transfusions can help alleviate.
“Sickle Cell patients can experience severe pain, tissue and organ damage, acute anemia, and even strokes. Furthermore, Sickle Cell patients are at a rick of serious complications from coronavirus infections and blood transfusions can be a be a life-saving treatment.”
The Red Cross has implemented several new safety procedures as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. They include checking temperatures, providing hand sanitizer and face masks, social distancing measures and more. Donors must make appointments. Visit Red Cross Blood.org, use the blood app, call 1-800-Red Cross, that’s 800-733-276, or use the red cross skill on your Alexa Echo device to schedule appointments.
Blood Drives:
Clarke
Athens
5/6/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/7/2020: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/8/2020: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/9/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
5/10/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
5/11/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
5/12/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Jackson
Hoschton
5/12/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Celebration Church, 5560 Thompson Mill Rd
Oconee
Watkinsville
5/12/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Watkinsville First United Methodist Church, 1331 New High Shoals Road
Clarke
Athens
5/13/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/14/2020: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/15/2020: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
5/16/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/17/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
5/18/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/19/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Jackson
Commerce
5/19/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Civic Center, 110 State St.
Clarke
Athens
5/20/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/21/2020: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
5/21/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Athens Regional Library System, 2025 Baxter St
5/21/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tuckston United Methodist Church, 4175 Lexington Rd
Clarke
Athens
5/22/2020: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/23/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/24/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/25/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/26/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/27/2020: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Jackson
Braselton
5/27/2020: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., NGMC - Braselton, 1400 River Place
5/27/2020: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., NGMC - Braselton, 1400 River Place
Jefferson
5/27/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jackson County Administrative Building, 67 Athens Street
Clarke
Athens
5/28/2020: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/29/2020: 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
Clarke
Athens
5/30/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Athens Blood Donation Center, Clark Crossing Shopping Ctr, 3525 Atlanta Highway
