The _meric_n Red Cr_ss needs _l_ _d d_n_rs to bring back the missing A’s, B’s and O’s.
A few missing letters may not seem like a big deal in a sentence, but for patients who need A, B, O and AB blood types, these missing letters mean life. The Red Cross urges donors of all blood types to give now to help prevent delays in medical care this summer.
Six years ago, doctors told Jacqueline Rogers’ family that there wasn’t enough type O negative blood available to perform her open-heart surgery. This news that her surgery was postponed was scary for Jacqueline, just 8 at the time, who was born with a congenital heart disorder. “No blood means no surgery. I thought I was going to die,” she said.
Fortunately, blood donors stepped up, and Jacqueline’s surgery was successfully completed a week later.
To draw attention that blood types sometimes do go missing from hospital shelves, A’s, B’s and O’s began disappearing on June 11 from iconic brand logos, social media pages, signs and websites as part of the Missing Types campaign. The campaign is raising awareness of the need for more blood donors.
While thousands of blood donors have answered the call to fill the Missing Types, more donors are needed now to help ensure patients don’t have to wait for blood products. During the summer, especially around holidays like Independence Day, donations often don’t keep pace with patient needs.
Below is a listing of Valley-area locations where you donate:
Granada Hills
July 8, 11:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Granada Hills Pavillion, 11128 Balboa Blvd.; July 13, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Granada Hills Pavillion, 11128 Balboa Blvd.; July 15, 11:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., Granada Hills Pavillion, 11128 Balboa Blvd.
Northridge
July 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Toyota, 19550 Nordhoff St.; July 14, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Community Christian Alliance Church, 18827 Roscoe Blvd.
Panorama City
July 6, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Panorama City American Legion Hall, 13553 Reedley Ave.; July 7, 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., St. Genevieve Catholic Church, 14061 Roscoe Blvd.
Sherman Oaks
July 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Buffalo Wild Wings, 15301 Ventura Blvd.; July 7, 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Westfield, 14006 Riverside Dr.
Sylmar
July 7, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., All Nations Church, 10000 Foothill Blvd.
Van Nuys
July 7, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., ONEgeneration, 17400 Victory Blvd.; July 11, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15555 Saticoy St.; July 14, 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., St. Elisabeth Church, 14655 Kittridge St.
Woodland Hills
The Woodland Hills Blood Donation Center, located at 6338 Variel Avenue, is accepting donations July 4-10, and July 11-15. Blood donations will also be accepted on July 11 at the Warner Center Marriott at 21850 Oxnard Street. Times vary. Contact the center for available times.
You can make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).