ST LOUIS, MO-(Effingham Radio)- As influenza activity picks up, the American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to give blood or platelets to ensure a strong blood supply for patients in need.
Blood and platelets can only be given by donors who are feeling well.
One way to maintain health is to get a flu vaccine each fall.
There is no waiting period to give blood or platelets after receiving a flu shot as long as the donor is symptom-free and fever-free.
Stay healthy this flu season and make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are needed this fall after hurricanes Michael and Florence forced the cancellation of about 200 blood drives, causing approximately 7,000 units of blood and platelets to go uncollected.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in our area on Nov. 1-15
Clay County:
- Flora 11/7/2018: 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Flora High School, 600 South Locust
- Louisville 11/12/2018: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Red Brush Christian Church, Route 45 South
Coles County:
- Charleston 11/4/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Salisbury Church, 2350 East Madison, 11/8/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., EIU Student Union, 1720 7th Street, 11/9/2018: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Charleston High School, 1603 Lincoln Avenue
- Mattoon 11/6/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lake Land College, 5001 Lake Land Boulevard
Crawford County:
- Hutsonville 11/9/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hutsonville High School, 500 West Clover Street
- Robinson 11/1/2018: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Good Samaritan Occupational Health and Acute Care, 1404 East Main Street
Cumberland County:
- Toledo 11/5/2018: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Toledo Christian Church, 501 South Maryland
Effingham County:
- Effingham 11/1/2018: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/2/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/3/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/7/2018: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/8/2018: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/9/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/10/2018: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/14/2018: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave, 11/15/2018: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Effingham Blood Donation Center, 603 Eden Ave
- Teutopolis 11/6/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 210 S Pearl
Marion County:
- Centralia 11/1/2018: 8:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Centralia High School, 2100 East Calumet, 11/13/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kaskaskia College, Shattuc Road, 11/14/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kaskaskia College, Shattuc Road, 11/15/2018: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Centralia American Legion Hall, 117 South Poplar
- Salem 11/9/2018: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wal-Mart, 1870 West Main Street
Richland County:
- Noble 11/12/2018: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Noble First Christian Church, 485 South First Street
- Olney 11/11/2018: 7 a.m. – 11 a.m., St Joseph Stringtown Community Club, North Stringtown Road, 11/15/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., VFW, 205 North Walnut
Shelby County:
- Shelbyville 11/15/2018: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1000 West North 6th