INDIANAPOLIS — The American Red Cross announced Tuesday it is urging healthy people to donate blood as coronavirus concerns escalate.
Cold and flu season has already limited the nation's blood supply, and the Red Cross said the number of people eligible to give blood could continue to decrease as more people are diagnosed with the coronavirus.
“We’re asking the American people to help keep the blood supply stable during this challenging time. As communities across the country prepare for this public health emergency, it’s critical that plans include a readily available blood supply for hospital patients,” president of Red Cross Blood Services Chris Hrouda said.
The Red Cross provides blood to 80 hospitals in Indiana, according to a release from the organization.
The Red Cross said who have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, been in contact with someone who has the illness or is suspected of having it or has traveled to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea should wait 28 days before donating blood.
“As fears of coronavirus rise, low donor participation could harm blood availability at hospitals, and the last thing a patient should worry about is whether lifesaving blood will be on the shelf when they need it most," Hrouda said
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Marion County
Indianapolis
Sunday: Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7243 East 10th St., 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
March 23: Benjamin Harrison YMCA, 5736 Lee Road, 2 p.m.-7 p.m.
March 25: KAR Global, 7835 Woodland Dr., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
March 26: IUPUI-University Tower, 911 West North St., 3 p.m.-8 p.m.
March 27: IUPUI-School of Nursing, 600 Barnhill Dr., 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
March 30: Indiana University School of Dentistry, 1121 West Michigan St., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
March 31: Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, 3901 Hannah Circle, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Speedway
Sunday: IMS Season Kick Off Blood Drive at Speedway Indoor Karting, 1067 N. Main St., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Hamilton County
Carmel
Monday: Harvest Bible Chapel, 14550 River Road, 2 p.m.-7 p.m.
March 28:Venture Christian Church, 14501 Hazel Dell Pkwy., 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Westfield
March 22: Grand Junction Brewing Company, 1189 E 181st St., 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Hendricks County
Avon
Thursday: IU Health West Hospital, 1111 Ronald Reagan Pkwy., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Bartholomew County
Columbus
Wednesday: Kroger, 3060 N National Road, 2 p.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday: Saint Bartholomew Church, 1306 27th St., 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 27: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 4850 W. Goeller Road, 2 p.m.-7 p.m.
March 29: Hotel Indigo, 400 Brown St., noon-5 p.m.
Johnson County
Edinburgh
March 20: Edinburgh Apostolic Tabernacle, 701 South Main St., 3 p.m.-8 p.m.
Monroe County
Bloomington
Wednesday: Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St., noon-6 p.m.
Saturday: Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St., 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
March 18: Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St., noon-6 p.m.
March 21: Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St., 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
March 25: Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St., noon-6 p.m.
March 26: Indiana University Briscoe Residence Center, 1225 North Fee Lane, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
March 28: Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. 3rd St., 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
March 31:, Indiana University Read Residence Center, 125 S. Jordan, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.
Shelby County
Shelbyville
March 24: Pilkington North America, 300 Northridge Dr., 5:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
