The nation’s blood supply has fallen to critically low levels. The American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis for only the second time in its history. All blood types are needed, with the shortage especially acute for O-positive and B-negative blood.
Why a Stable Blood Supply Matters
All hospitals depend on donated blood every day to care for people injured in accidents, patients undergoing surgery, mothers experiencing childbirth complications, people receiving cancer treatment, and patients with blood disorders or other serious illnesses.
Blood cannot be made in a lab, and donated blood has a limited shelf life. That means the supply must be continually replenished by generous volunteer donors. Someone in the United States receives a blood transfusion about every two seconds, and a single donation often helps more than one patient.
“We encourage everyone who can to donate life-saving blood,” said Mo Sheldon, CEO, McCamey County Hospital District. “It doesn’t take much time, and it really is the gift of life. We see the impact of donations every day in the care we provide, and having an adequate national supply of blood is critical for hospitals’ ability to provide 24/7 care to all who need it.”
Where and When McCamey Residents Can Donate
The following blood drives organized by Vitalant are currently scheduled in Odessa:
- Thursday, August 6: Medical Center Hospital, South Lobby, 500 W. Fourth St., Odessa, from 2 to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, August 13: Odessa Downtown Lions Club, 1101 N. Whitaker Ave., Suite 202, Odessa, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Monday, August 24: Music City Mall, 4101 E. 42nd St., Odessa, from noon to 5 p.m.
Permanent donation center:
Vitalant Midland Blood Donation Center
4706 N. Midkiff Road, Suite 20, Midland
Hours:
- Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The center is closed every other Sunday.
Appointments are strongly encouraged. Call 877-258-4825.
Drive schedules and appointment availability can change. Confirm the date, time, and available appointments before traveling from McCamey.
Find Additional Donation Opportunities
- Vitalant: Vitalant.org or 877-258-4825. Enter ZIP code 79752 to search for current drives.
- American Red Cross: RedCrossBlood.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
- America’s Blood Centers: AmericasBlood.org
- AABB Blood Donation Locator: WhereToDonateBlood.org
Before donating, review the blood center’s eligibility guidance, make an appointment when possible, eat a healthy meal, drink plenty of water, and bring the identification requested by the donation organization.
