CAMARILLO, Calif. — As many prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and look ahead at a busy holiday season, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors across the country to harness their humanity by giving blood in the coming weeks.
As a result of low blood donor turnout in recent months, the Red Cross is heading into the holidays with its lowest blood supply in more than a decade at this time of year. The ongoing effects of COVID-19 and a summer spike in delta variant cases significantly challenged the nation’s blood supply heading into the fall. The pandemic also resulted in fewer blood drives at schools and colleges, contributing to a 34% drop in new blood donors from last year − one of the largest year-to-year decreases and one that could threaten essential medical care for patients. Locally, the Central California Red Cross Region has experienced a 12% decrease in new blood donors this year.
Don’t wait. Humanity needs you to help patients enjoy all the holiday season has to offer. Make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As a thank-you, all those who come to give Nov. 29-Dec. 16 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a private screening for the winner and 50 of their guests of the epic new film The Matrix Resurrections. Plus, those who come to give Nov. 29-Dec. 16 will also get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon. *
Those who share the warmth and make a blood donation part of their Thanksgiving plans Nov. 24-28 will receive an exclusive pair of Red Cross holiday socks, while supplies last.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 22-Dec. 16:
Camarillo
11/23/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Betty Plotkin Center, 836 Calle Plano
11/26/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Residence Inn, 2912 Petit Street
11/30/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Betty Plotkin Center, 836 Calle Plano
12/7/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Betty Plotkin Center, 836 Calle Plano
12/7/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4345 Las Posas Road
Oxnard
12/2/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus Council 750, 600 S. D Street
12/12/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Mary Star of the Sea, 463 W Pleasant Valley
12/14/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1150 Gary Dr
Simi Valley
11/20/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 Los Angeles Ave
11/26/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 Los Angeles Ave
12/10/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 Los Angeles Ave
12/13/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 4191 Cochran Street
Thousand Oaks
11/22/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
11/24/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
12/1/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
12/4/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
12/6/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
12/8/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
12/15/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
Ventura
11/30/2021: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 36 S. Figueroa St.
12/10/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Ventura Family YMCA, 3760 Telegraph Road
Health insights for donors
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet, and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
About The Matrix Resurrections
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, In Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, In Association with Venus Castina Productions, The Matrix Resurrections. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
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