DAYTON, Ohio – The raging fire at a Richmond, Indiana industrial recycling center is impacting the regional blood supply. Air quality precautions and school closings have forced the cancellation of Richmond blood drives. Community Blood Center is calling on donors to help offset this loss in blood collections by donating at a local blood drive or at the CBC Dayton Donation Center.
Make an appointment to give blood at www.DonorTime.com, call (937) 461-3220 or use the Donor Time app.
Approximately 2,000 people living within a half-mile radius of the plant are under evacuation or shelter in place orders and Richmond schools remain closed. Blood drives scheduled Thursday at Belden and Friday at Seton Catholic High School have been cancelled.
CBC needs all donors to support the blood supply. Blood usage has been high in April and CBC is currently in scarce supply of O negative, A negative, and B negative blood and in low supply of type O positive blood.
Blood donation requirements: Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name. Past CBC donors are also asked to bring their CBC donor ID card. Donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old with parental consent: form available at www.givingblood.org or at the Dayton CBC and mobile blood drive locations), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds (you may have to weigh more depending on your height), and be in good physical health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changes blood donor eligibility guidelines periodically. Individuals with eligibility questions can email canidonate@cbccts.org or call (937) 461-3220. Make an appointment at www.DonorTime.com.
Community Blood Center/Community Tissue Services® is an independent, not-for-profit organization. Community Blood Center provides blood products to partner hospitals and health centers within its 18-county service area of western Ohio and eastern Indiana and to select hospitals and blood centers outside the region. For more information visit www.givingblood.org.