The Red Cross is hosting a series of blood drives across North Texas to try to reverse a shortage. The non-profit says hospitals are 50,000 units short right now and reaching "historical lows."
"Blood is super important. It's something we shouldn't even have to talk about," says the Red Cross' Alan Ruiz. "It's something that needs to be constantly stocked in our hospitals to ensure we can preserve life and humanity."
Through Sunday, donors will receive a $15 gift card. Starting Wednesday, donors will also be entered to win a three-day trip for two to New York to swim with sharks at Long Island Aquarium.
"It kind of in a fun sort of way helps promote blood donations," Ruiz says. "It's in collaboration with Shark Week."
The Red Cross is also working with Warner Brothers-Discovery, and people who donate from July 12 through August 12 will be entered. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts.
From July 17 through July 31, donors will also receive a Shark Week t-shirt.
Ruiz says donations often drop during the summer. More people are taking vacations, and kids are away from school so fewer blood drives are set up.
"In the summertime, we do experience a drought in blood drives," he says.
People can make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling (800) 733-2767. You can also make an appointment using the American Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Ruiz says the app will also track your donation history and will tell you when and where your blood is used.
"It's not just on some shelf at some blood bank," he says. "Even just the reason we're talking today, we're dealing with a shortage of blood. Rest assured that turnaround is happening very quickly."
upcoming blood drives
Arlington
7/11/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Medical City Arlington, 3301 Matlock Rd., Arlington, TX 76015
7/12/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North YMCA, 1005 Skyline Dr., Arlington, TX 76011
Burleson
7/17/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Burleson Recreation Center, 550 N.W. Summercrest, Burleson, TX 76028
Coppell
7/18/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rejoice Lutheran Church, 532 E. Sandy Lake Rd., Coppell, TX 75019
Dallas
7/17/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Red Cross North Texas Region HQ, 2055 Kendall Dr., Dallas, TX 75235
Frisco
7/27/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Medical City Frisco, 5575 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco, TX, 75034
Grapevine
7/11/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Embassy Suites DFW Airport North, 2401 Bass Pro Dr., Grapevine, TX 76051
7/12/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott DFW Airport, 2200 Bass Pro Dr., Grapevine, TX 76051
Haslet
7/12/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Amazon Air, 301 Intermodal Pkwy., Haslet, TX 76052
7/18/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Heritage Baptist Church, 1200 FM 156 S., Haslet, TX 76052
Hurst
7/26/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Bell Helicopter, 3000 S. Norwood, Hurst, TX 76053
Irving
7/14/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mu Gamma Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., 3901 Jackson St., Irving, TX 75061
7/20/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Medical City, 6800 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, TX 75039
Lewisville
7/18/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, 719 University Pl., Lewisville, TX 75067
Plano
7/25/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Vanguard, 7900 Windrose Ave., Plano, TX 75024
7/26/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Toyota Motor North America, Inc., 6565 Headquarters Dr., Plano, TX 75024
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