Weather cancellations lead to Maine Red Cross blood crisis

PORTLAND — The American Red Cross continues to have a winter blood donation shortage after severe winter weather has now forced more than 500 blood drives across the country to cancel, already causing about 15,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected through last week, according to a news release from the Red Cross.
The organization said blood and platelet donors are urgently needed to help restock the shelves.

In Maine, 10 blood drives have been forced to cancel because of January weather, causing 273 donations to go uncollected.
Donors of all blood types are essential to help maintain an adequate blood supply for patients in their own communities as well as areas where donors are unable to give due to inclement weather. Every day, no matter the weather, the Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations to meet the needs of patients.

Blood donors, especially those with types O negative, B negative and AB blood, and platelet donors are needed now and throughout the winter months to ensure blood products are readily available for patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Donors may make an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming central Maine blood drives through Thursday, Feb. 15 include:
AUBURN
Friday, Jan. 26, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Flagship Cinemas Auburn, 730 Center St.
Monday, Feb. 5, 7 a.m.- 1 p.m., St. Mary’s AMA, 2 Great Falls Plaza.

AUGUSTA
Thursday, Jan. 25 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Kennebec Savings Bank, 150 State St.
Thursday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., University of Maine, 46 University Drive.
Friday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., MaineGeneral Medical Center, 35 Medical Center Parkway
Friday, Feb. 2, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., Eastside Wellness Center, 6 Elkins Lane
Thursday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Maine State Credit Union, 26 Ganneston Drive.

BATH
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1- 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 807 Middle St.

BRUNSWICK
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2/6/2018: 1-6 p.m., Saint Pauls Church, 27 Pleasant St.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, noon-5 p.m., Bill Dodge Hyundai, 118 Pleasant St.
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 3-8 p.m., Bowdoin College, 8 Polar Loop, Morrell Lounge Building.
Thursday, Feb. 15, 1-6 p.m., Lowes Brunswick, 250 Bath Road.

FARMINGDALE
Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Church of Latter Day Saints, 4 Hasson St.

FARMINGTON
Tuesday, Jan. 30, noon-5 p.m. University of Maine, 246 Main St., North Dining Hall.
Wednesday, Jan. 31, noon-5 p.m. University of Maine, 246 Main St. North Dining Hall.

HARRISON
Thursday, Jan. 25, noon-5 p.m., United Parish Congregational Church of Harrison and N. Bridgton, 77 Main St.

JAY
Tuesday, Feb. 13, noon-6 p.m., Knights of Columbus Jay, 148 Main St.

LEWISTON
Saturday, Jan. 27, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Lewiston-Auburn Harley-Davidson, 839 Main St.
Saturday, Feb. 6, 3 p.m.-8 p.m., Bates College, 56 Campus Ave.

MANCHESTER
Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m – 2 p.m., Manchester Fire Department Manchester, 37 Readfield St.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Lady’s Auto Sales Inc, 884 Western Ave. MECHANIC FALLS
Friday, Jan. 26, 1-6 p.m., Mechanic Falls Town Hall, 108 Lewiston St.

NAPLES
Monday, Feb. 5, noon-5 p.m., Naples Town Hall, Town Hall, 15 Village Green Lane.

NORWAY
Monday, Feb. 12, 8 a.m.- 1 p.m., Stephens Memorial Hospital, Ripley Medical Building, 193 Main St.

RUMFORD
Wednesday, Feb. 7, noon-6 p.m., American Legion, 184 Congress St.

TOPSHAM
Tuesday, Jan. 30, 1-6 p.m., ARC Mid Coast Chapter, 16 Community Way.

WATERVILLE
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Central Maine Motors Toyota Waterville, 15 Airport Road.

WINSLOW
Thursday, Feb. 15, 1- 6 p.m., Winslow VFW, 175 Veterans Drive.