Community Corner

Red Cross Issues Emergency Call for Blood Donations

Fewer than anticipated donors in June means a shortage in available blood stores.

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Do you weigh 110 pounds or more?

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The American Red Cross needs your help.

The Red Cross has issued an emergency request for blood donations, stating in a press release that its "blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June." The blood bank is stocked with about half the available blood it held this time last year.

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Red Cross officials speculate that an earlier-than-normal spring season could have led to fewer than typical blood donations as regular donors transitioned into summer activities early and failed to schedule their blood and platelet donations.

Now, need exists for all blood types, but particularly for O Positive, O Negative, A Negative and B Negative blood.

The Red Cross hopes to collect 6,500 units of blood in the Massachusetts region throughout the next two weeks. And residents from Westwood don't need to travel far to help out. 

Below are a number of upcoming blood drives at the Dedham American Red Cross (180 Rustcraft Rd., Dedham)

  • June 25; Noon to 6:15 p.m.
  • June 26; 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • June 28; Noon to 7 p.m.
  • June 29; 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • June 30; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • June 30; 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • July 1; 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • July 2; Noon to 6 p.m.

A full list of blood drives is available on the Red Cross blood donation website.


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