The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage in Missouri and throughout America as the group is experiencing the lowest number of blood donors in 20 years.

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Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the American Red Cross has dropped by 40%. With fewer people donating blood, even small disruptions to blood donations, like the 7,000 unit shortfall the group experienced between Christmas and New Year's Day can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products for those who need emergency blood transfusions.

Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross says, “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.”

Recently the Red Cross has limited distributions of type O blood products, one of the most transfused blood types, to hospitals.

As an incentive to up blood donations The Red Cross and the National Football League have partnered to urge individuals to give blood or platelets this January to help end the emergency blood shortage. Anyone who donates blood, platelets or plasma through the Red Cross in January will be entered to win a trip to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. You can find more details on this here.

Upcoming area blood drives include:

Columbia, Missouri

January 12, Columbia Mall, 11:00 AM -3:00 PM CST
January 15, Bass Pro Shop, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM CST
January 24, Lenoir Woods, 11:00 AM -3:00 PM CST
January 26, Columbia Mall, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM CST
January 28, Newman Center, 8:00 AM -1:00 PM CST
January 30, Mizzou School of Medicine, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM CST
January 31, Mizzou Memorial Union, 11:00 AM -5:00 PM CST

Additionally, you can donate at the Columbia Blood Donation Center, 1511 S. Providence Road on most days in January.

Camdenton, Missouri

January 31, Lake Breeze Event Center, 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM CST

Lake Ozark, Missouri

January 23, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM CST

Jefferson City, Missouri

January 17, Truman Building, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM CST
January 18, Truman Building, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM CST
January 19, Truman Building, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM CST
January 24, Missouri Secretary of State, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM CST
January 29, River Region Credit Union, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST
January 31, Department of Social Services, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM CST
Additionally, you can donate at the Jefferson City Blood Donation Center, 3230 Emerald Lane, most days in January.

Boonville, Missouri

January 17, Boonville High School, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM CST

Lee's Summit, Missouri

January 25, Summit Ridge, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM CST
January 30, Lee's Summit Medical Center 1:00 PM -6:00 PM CST

Chilhowee, Missouri

January 24, Chilhowee R V School, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST

Warrensburg, Missouri

January 15, Elks Lodge in Warrensburg, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM CST

Marshall, Missouri

January 31, Missouri Valley College Malcolm Center, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM CST

If you would like to sign up to donate at one of these blood drives, or you'd like to find a donation center near you, please click here, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-733-2767 now.