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OLATHE, Kan. — Labor Day means a long weekend for millions of Americans. It also means a low blood supply for the American Red Cross. The organization said more people on vacation means fewer people donating.

Shirley Lusk, a member of the congregation at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Olathe, helped organize a blood drive Sunday. She helps put on blood drives at the church every six months.

“There’s such a need for blood and it’s important that we get people to donate for that cause,” she said.

For Olathe resident and church member Brent Ramirez, Sunday was a chance to give thanks and the gift of life.

“Feels good, feels good that you know that your blood may be helping no matter who it is,” he said.

The American Red Cross said blood donations drop during the summer months especially around the holidays.

“A lot of people are on vacation and so therefore they’re not taking the time to donate blood so there is a shortage at this time of the year,” said Lusk.

The American Red Cross said it is especially in need of blood types O negative, B negative and A negative.

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Interested in donating? Here is a list of upcoming blood donation opportunities:

 

Clay County, Mo.

  • 29 from 1 – 5 p.m. at Hy Vee, 109 N. Blue Jay Drive in Liberty, Mo.
  • 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at American Legion Post 58, 2607 NE 92 Highway in Smithville, Mo.

Jackson County, Mo.

  • 21 from7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mo Department of Transportation , 600 N.E. Colbern Road in Lees Summit, Mo.
  • 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at O’Hara High School, 9001 James A. Reed Road in Kansas City, Mo.
  • 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kansas City Health Department, 2400 Troost Ave., Suite 3000 in Kansas City, Mo.
  • 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bass Pro Shop Independence, 18001 Bass Pro Drive in Independence, Mo.
  • 29 from 12 – 4 p.m. at Grain Valley Community Center, 713 S. Main St. in Grain Valley, Mo.

Johnson County, Kan.

  • 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 920 Alta Lane in Olathe, Kan.
  • 19 from 3 – 7 p.m. at Rose Estates, 12700 Antioch Road in Overland Park, Kan.
  • 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Public Works Robinson Complex, 1385 S. Robinsons in Olathe, Kan.
  • 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Valley View Bank, 7500 W. 95th St. in Overland Park, Kan.
  • 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Compass Minerals, 9900 W. 109th St. in Overland Park, Kan.
  • 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at City Wide/ODDO/BASYS, 15423 W. 100th Terrace in Lenexa, Kan.
  • 31 from 1 – 5 p.m. at Family Video, 6638 Nieman Road in Shawnee, Kan.

Johnson County, Mo.

  • 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MO Department of Social Services, 505 N. Ridgeview Drive in Warrensburg, Mo.

Leavenworth County, Kan.

  • 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Guidance Center, 500 Limit St. in Leavenworth, Kan.

 

To learn more call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org

 

 

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