With an ongoing nationwide blood shortage, Rogue Community College officials said they're helping to replenish supplies and raise awareness.

Rogue Community College campuses will observe Halloween this year by hunting for some much-needed blood.

Campuses in Medford, White City and Grants Pass will partner with the American Red Cross to host blood drives open to students, faculty and the general public.

With an ongoing nationwide blood shortage, RCC officials said they’re helping to replenish supplies and raise awareness.

“Blood donations are always needed to meet the constant demand for lifesaving blood products,” said Ace Ventura, account manager for the American Red Cross, Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region.

“We encourage everyone in the community to come out and support these drives. A single donation can save up to three lives, and every unit of blood collected is vital to ensuring that patients receive the care they need.”

Statistics provided by the Red Cross show that someone in the U.S. requires a blood transfusion every two to three seconds for emergencies such as childbirth complications, accidents, surgeries and cancer treatments.

Regional Red Cross officials hosted a blood drive earlier this month at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. Red Cross officials said tens of thousands of blood drives in the Southeast were canceled in recent weeks due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

RCC blood drive dates are as follows:

• Oct. 29 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) in the student center on the Redwood Campus, 3345 Redwood Highway in Grants Pass.
• Oct. 30 (10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) at the Table Rock Campus (A Building, Room 184) 7800 Pacific Ave in White City.
• Oct. 31 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the Riverside Campus Higher Education Center (Room 129) at 101 S. Bartlett St. in Medford.

Donors are encouraged to schedule their appointments in advance by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Walk-ins also are welcome.