The American Red Cross of Southern Missouri will host a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at Missouri State University-West Plains’ (MSU-WP) Student Recreation Center, 323 W. Trish Knight St., in West Plains.

The drive is being sponsored by MSU-WP’s student life and development office and is open to the public.

The need is great

Blood supplies across the nation are at a critical level, even in southern Missouri, according to Stacy Burks, executive director of the American Red Cross of Southern Missouri.

“Facing its worst blood shortage in more than a decade, the American Red Cross is asking for the public’s help to increase the blood supply, which is at a dangerously low level,” she said. “These levels pose a risk to patient care and are forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available.

“In recent weeks, the Red Cross had less than a one-day supply of critical blood types and has had to limit blood product distributions to hospitals,” she added. “At times, as much as one-quarter of hospital blood needs are not being met.”

Make a Power Red donation

With supplies so low, all blood types are needed; however, area residents who are an eligible type O, B- or A- donor can maximize their blood donations and help more patients by making a Power Red donation, Burks said. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component, she added.

Those who would like to give blood on Jan. 27 should call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter MSUWP to schedule a donation appointment.

For more information about the Jan. 27 drive, contact the MSU-WP student life and development office at 417-255-7233.