The American Red Cross is facing a looming shortage of the blood types most needed by patients and is calling on eligible donors with O negative, B negative and A negative blood to give now to prevent an emergency situation. Blood donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Overall blood donations in the Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region have been approximately 1,549 fewer per month in June and July this year than the previous 10 months of the year. When demand for the most needed types begins to outpace donations, the Red Cross alerts donors to help restock the shelves.

Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be transfused to patients with any blood type. Types B negative and A negative can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients. Eligible donors are encouraged to donate double red cells – a process where two units of red cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor – where available.

“Summer blood shortages are not uncommon, but they can be prevented when generous volunteers roll up their sleeves to help save lives,” said Vince Robinson, external communications manager for the Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Region. “Many donors have already given this summer. We’re now asking donors who haven’t donated, and those who are eligible again, to make an appointment to give now to help ensure blood products are available for patients.”

Platelets and type AB plasma also needed

Platelet donors and those with type AB blood are also continually needed to help ensure patients receive the lifesaving blood products they need. Platelets – a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, surgical patients and bone narrow recipients – must be transfused within five days of donation, so donations are constantly needed. Donors with type AB blood are urged to give blood or platelets to restock the plasma supply. Type AB donors have the universal plasma type, which can be given to patients of all blood types.

Individuals who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again and help patients like an expectant mother at a Red Cross-supported hospital who is currently receiving nearly 100 units of blood products a week until she delivers. Her need alone could add up to 1,100 units.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities

Adams County

8/7/2015: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Adams Memorial Hospital, 1100 Mercer Ave. in Decatur.

8/10/2015: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m., Lehman Park Pavilion, 667 Lehman St. in Berne.

8/14/2015: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Century Link, 248 West Monroe St. in Decatur.

8/17/2015: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Riverside Center, 231 East Monroe St. in Decatur.

9/1/2015: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., South Adams Senior Center, 825 Hendrick St. in Berne.

Allen County

8/7/2015: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., Mill Supplies Inc., 5105 Industrial Rd. in Fort Wayne.

8/8/2015: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Concordia Lutheran Church, 4245 Lake Ave. in Fort Wayne.

8/13/2015: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., International Business College, 5699 Coventry Lane in Fort Wayne.

8/13/2015: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kelley Automotive, 633 Ave. of Autos in Fort Wayne.

8/17/2015: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Canterbury High School, 3200 Smith Rd. in Fort Wayne.

8/19/2015: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., PNC Building, 110 W. Berry St., Suite 2400 in Fort Wayne.

8/19/2015: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Dupont Hospital, 2520 East Dupont Rd. in Fort Wayne.

8/19/2015: 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tomkinson BMW, 929 Ave. of Autos, 14/69 Auto Mall in Fort Wayne.

8/20/2015: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Johns Lutheran Lake Twp., 7914 West Cook Rd. in Fort Wayne.

8/21/2015: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., IPFW – Cole Commons, 4110 Crescent Ave. in Fort Wayne.

8/22/2015: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Leo High School, 14600 Amstutz Rd. in Leo.

8/25/2015: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Hylant Group, 6714 Point Inverness Way, Suite 1 in Fort Wayne.

8/29/2015: 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., St. Vincent de Paul, 1720 East Wallen Rd. in Fort Wayne.

8/29/2015: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Rd. in Fort Wayne.

DeKalb County

8/11/2015: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Garrett, 515 W. 5th Ave. in Garrett.

8/19/2015: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Legion Butler, 118 North Broadway in Butler.

8/21/2015: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Heimach Senior Activity Center, 1800 E. Seventh St. in Auburn.

8/25/2015: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Cedar Lake Church of the Brethren, 2939 County Rd. 15 in Auburn.

9/1/2015: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1203 East 7th St. in Auburn.

Huntington County

8/14/2015: 1:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Huntington Church of the Nazarene Huntington, 1555 Flaxmill Rd. in Huntington.

8/23/2015: 7:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church/School, 860 Cherry St. in Huntington.

8/27/2015: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Knight-Bergman Center, 132 S. Nancy St. in Warren.

LaGrange County

8/8/2015: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., South Milford Church of Christ, 8030 E 600 S in Wolcottville.

8/11/2015: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, 50 N 100 E in LaGrange.

8/18/2015: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Maple Grove Church, 806 S. Main St. in Topeka.

8/24/2015: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., E & S Sales, 1265 N State Rd. 5 in Shipshewana.

8/31/2015: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., LaGrange First United Methodist Church, 209 W. Spring St. in LaGrange.

Noble County

8/8/2015: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 210 N Orange St. in Albion.

8/10/2015: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Grace Christian Church, 126 E. Mitchell St. in Kendallville.

8/19/2015: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Rome City United Methodist Church, 297 Washington St. in Rome City.

9/4/2015: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Faith United Methodist Church, 411 Harding St. in Kendallville.

9/4/2015: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Park & Recreation Center, 520 W. Union St. in Ligonier.

Steuben County

8/10/2015: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 700 West Maumee St. in Angola.

8/12/2015: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sonlight Community Church, 455 N Gerald Lett Ave. in Angola.

8/13/2015: 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Hamilton United Methodist Church, 7780 South Wayne St. in Hamilton.

8/20/2015: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 423, 6215 S.R. 327 in Orland.

8/27/2015: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Trine University, 1 University Ave. in Angola.

9/4/2015: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Harold Chevrolet, 824 N Wayne St. in Angola.

9/2/2015: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Helmer United Methodist Church, 7530 S SR 327 in Helmer.

Wells County

8/21/2015: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Bluffton Regional Medical Center, 303 South Main St. in Bluffton.

8/23/2015: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Life Church, 428 South Oak St. in Bluffton.

8/24/2015: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 215 East Dustman Rd. in Bluffton.

Whitley County

8/19/2015: 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Parkview Whitley Hospital, 1260 East State Rd. 205 in Columbia City.

The Fort Wayne Donor Center located at 1212 E. California Road in Fort Wayne, (across from the Memorial Coliseum)

Whole Blood Donations

Monday and Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday: noon – 6 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Saturday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Platelet Donations

Monday: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Tuesday: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Wednesday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 6:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Sunday: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Lutheran Hospital Donor Center located at 7900 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 107 in Fort Wayne (in the South Lobby of Lutheran Hospital)

Whole Blood Donations

Monday and Tuesday: noon – 6 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday: closed

Friday and Saturday: 6 a.m. – noon

Platelet Donations

Monday and Tuesday: noon – 6 p.m.

Wednesday: closed

Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 6 a.m. – noon

Sunday: 6 a.m. – noon

How to donate blood

The free Blood Donor App – available in app stores by searching for American Red Cross or by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 – not only makes appointment scheduling easy, but donors can also access their digital donor card and be notified when their donation is distributed to a hospital. Donors can also visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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.