The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. The 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 military families.

January is National Blood Donor Month, and the organization is calling on donors to start the year with a lifesaving act of generosity. The American Red Cross is facing a growing risk of a blood shortage following the holiday season, according to officials. Currently, the Red Cross is distributing blood products faster than they are coming in. Without immediate action, doctors may have to make difficult decisions about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait. Snow, ice, and frigid temperatures in December created challenges that caused thousands of donations to go uncollected. Busy holiday schedules and seasonal illnesses have further reduced donations, significantly straining the Red Cross national blood inventory. "The start of the new year is a challenging time to collect blood, but it’s also an opportunity to build lifesaving habits," according to Paul Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Donor Services, American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross operates the Pleasanton Red Cross Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center at 5880 West Las Positas Boulevard. The Red Cross has been a Hacienda tenant since December 2018. In addition to donating blood at the Blood Donation Center, community members can volunteer to be a blood drive ambassador to greet and check-in blood donors at blood drives. They can volunteer as well to be a transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood to area hospitals. Blood program leaders are also needed to host and help recruit blood donors at community blood drives.

Officials say 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.

There are several ways to donate blood. They include downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App for your smartphone and calling (800) 733-2767 to make an appointment or for more information. 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 a blood drive.

For more information about the Pleasanton Red Cross Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center please visit www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/location/pleasanton-american-red-cross.html.

For more information about the Blood Donor App, please visit www.redcrossblood.org/blood-donor-app.html.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, please visit www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html