Hospitals in Charleston, S.C., face heightened blood shortages during the holidays due to lower donations from busy schedules, travel, illnesses, and school breaks, despite constant demand.[query] Officials from the American Red Cross and MUSC report a typical 20% drop in turnout, even as facilities like MUSC use 70,000 blood products yearly for trauma, burns, and procedures.[query]
Donation Impact
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets, with one donation potentially aiding up to four people via red cells, platelets, and plasma.[query] Holiday donations are crucial since patient needs persist amid the seasonal dip.[query]
Local Centers
Key spots include The Blood Connection at 5870 Core Road, North Charleston, SC 29406, and American Red Cross at 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407. Appointments take 15 minutes for whole blood or up to four hours for platelets; call 1-800-392-6551 to schedule.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Charleston:
- Dec. 24: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.
- Dec. 26: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.Â
- Dec. 27: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.Â
- Dec. 28: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.Â
- Dec. 29: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Five Eighth Seams, 1888 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd.Â
- Dec. 30: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.Â
- Dec. 31: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. Â
The West Ashley blood donation center recorded about 15 donations on Christmas Eve, highlighting community efforts amid holiday challenges.[query] Officials note the annual difficulty in securing hosts for blood drives and convincing people to pause festivities for an hour-long donation.[query]
Community Call
The American Red Cross urges continued support to sustain supplies during this critical period when fewer donors participate. Every contribution helps offset the seasonal drop and meets ongoing patient needs.
