Utah Red Cross centers to remain open this Labor Day for blood donors

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) — Although many people here in the Beehive State may have the day off work, the American Red Cross is keeping multiple blood donation centers open for Utahns looking to do something good. According to the Red Cross, the national blood supply has improved since a blood crisis was declared in July. However, the blood supply is still vulnerable, with 13,000 donors needed each day just to keep up with the current demand. In a press release, Heidi Ruster, the Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region, encourages Utahns to donate, saying: 'Holiday weekends can interrupt normal donation routines, but patients continue to need blood every day… Keeping our donation centers open on Labor Day gives Utahns another opportunity to donate before work, school and other fall commitments fill the calendar.' Blood donation centers open on Labor Day Salt Lake Donation Center Lehi Donation Center Layton Donation Center Scheduling an appointment Before going to donate blood or platelets, the Red Cross says to schedule an appointment using the Red Cross Donor App, by visiting redcross.org/GiveBlood, or by calling 1-800-733-2767. Ongoing promotions Currently, the Red Cross has an exclusive Hello Kitty and Friends promotion happening. As part of this promotion, donors who donate blood or platelets between Sept. 1 and Sept. 20 will receive an exclusive Red Cross x Hello Kitty plush and sticker pack. You can learn more by clicking here.