Murfreesboro, TN - The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces dangerous levels of heat and people head out for final summer travel plans. Since July 1, the Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25%, and blood donors of all types, especially those with type O blood, are urged to give as soon as possible to help patients receive lifesaving medical care.

Heat impacted more than 100 blood drives in July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood – compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation, such as travel and summer activities. Together these factors contributed to a shortfall of more than 19,000 blood donations in July. At the same time, hospital demand for blood products remains strong. Blood products are being sent to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. Right now, type O inventory is so low, distributions of this vital blood type are reduced below what hospitals count on.

“It’s critical hospitals have both type O positive and O negative blood ready to go for patients in the most life-threatening situations,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “Type O is especially important for victims of accidents and other trauma who are receiving emergency treatment. Now is the time for donors of all blood types to give and ensure hospital shelves can be restocked before any impact to patient care.”

The Red Cross is working with hospitals around-the-clock to meet the blood needs of patients – but can’t do it alone. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, those who come give blood, platelets or plasma Aug. 1-31, 2024, will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.

 Rutherford County Blood Drives through August

Rutherford

La Vergne

8/23/2024: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Lavergne Church of Christ, 244 Old Nashville Highway

Murfreesboro

8/5/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/7/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., World Outreach Church, 1921 New Salem Highway

8/8/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/9/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/10/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/11/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/12/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/14/2024: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Nashville Predators World Outreach Church, 1921 New Salem Highway

8/15/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/16/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/17/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/18/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/19/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., World Outreach Church, 1921 New Salem Highway

8/19/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/22/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital, 1700 Medical Parkway

8/22/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/23/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/24/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/25/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/26/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/27/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., World Outreach Church, 1921 New Salem Highway

8/27/2024: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Bank, 615 Memorial Blvd

8/28/2024: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Saint Mark's United Methodist Church, 1267 N. Rutherford Blvd

8/29/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/30/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

8/31/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

Smyrna

8/9/2024: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Tennessee Army National Guard, Building 250, 8th Avenue South

8/20/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Smyrna Senior Center, 100 Raikes Street

8/29/2024: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 300 Sam Hagar Street - Door C