The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in nearly 20 years. On January 29, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force will be opening its historic doors to serve as the venue for a blood drive during National Blood Donor Month, hoping to encourage eligible donors to continue the legacy of supporting others and helping those in need by making a blood or platelet donation.

During World War II, twenty-seven million Red Cross packages were distributed to American and Allied prisoners of war. Each box contained a variety of canned and dried foods to last one man for one week. For many of the POWs, the parcels were their primary source of food, which saved them from starving to death as they waited for the war to end.

To this day, the Red Cross continues to support our troops, and those in need, by helping to maintain our national blood supply.

"We are so excited to sponsor the drive at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. This venue is such an appropriate location since the Red Cross provided care packages for the thousands of Eighth Air Force men who were imprisoned in WWII,” said Maria Center, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Georgia’s Southeast Chapter. “There is an exhibit at the museum with Red Cross artifacts and we hope people will take note as they go through, these packages were the difference between life and death.” 

The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels in recent weeks across the country. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in. In recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of some of the most transfused blood types to hospitals.

Additional challenges lie ahead as winter weather and seasonal respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 may compound the dire blood supply situation the nation currently faces. 

Red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days, so they must constantly be replenished. Every 2 seconds someone needs lifesaving blood, and the Red Cross depends on the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients during the winter months.

As a special thank-you for helping address the emergency blood shortage, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering to offer those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Jan. 1-31, 2024, a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl. Additionally, the museum will provide presenting donors vouchers for reduced admission to the museum, good through the end of 2024.

Help save lives by joining us at the blood drive:

• 1/29/24: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s Colonial Oil Art Gallery, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA 31322

How to donate blood:

Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org sponsor code: ARCSAV, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. 

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.