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Red Cross warns of national blood shortage, promotes Kennewick Sept. 2 drive
Summary
American Red Cross presenters told the council the chapter is facing a rare national blood shortage and asked eligible residents to donate at a Kennewick drive Sept. 2 (10 a.m.–3 p.m.). The chapter reported 64 donors and 66 units collected in recent local drives.
Red Cross leaders told the Kennewick council the chapter is operating amid a national blood shortage and urged residents to donate and spread the word. "Right now, we're in a complete crisis where we are so down in blood," Michelle Roth said, describing demand and six-month hospital projections that guide supply planning.
Roth noted that the city-supported drives have helped: from January the city hosted three drives that produced 64 donors (including 11 first-time donors) and 66 units collected. She promoted a Sept. 2 drive at the Kennewick Police Department and encouraged use of the Red Cross blood app for scheduling and to track a donation’s journey.
Council members asked practical questions about sign-up and walk-in policies; presenters said walk-ins are accepted but signing up is recommended to shorten visit time. Roth and Kelly also linked blood services to broader disaster readiness and volunteer recruitment.
