Plano – In response to the lowest nationwide blood supply in more than a decade, Medical City Plano is encouraging the community to donate blood.
Partnering with the American Red Cross, Medical City Plano is hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, May 3. The Red Cross will be located in medical office building 1, 4001 West 15th Street from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Community members may sign–up to donate online or by calling 1–800–RED-CROSS.
Multiple factors related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the blood shortage, including blood drive cancellations due to illness and staffing limitations. The American Red Cross reports a 62% drop in college and high school blood drives due to the pandemic.
Potential blood donors may volunteer at age 16 with parental consent; 17-year-olds can give independently and there is no upper age limit for donors. People are also eligible to donate if they’ve had a COVID-19 vaccine or had the virus and recovered. Learn more about donor eligibility guidelines here.