Freezing cold, cancellations worsen blood shortage

Posted on January 9, 2018
blood donation
Cold temperatures during December caused the Red Cross to cancel several blood drives, making the organization fall short of the number of donations they hoped to see. (Photo courtesy Pixabay)

By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – The American Red Cross is asking the public’s help in filling the organization’s blood donation needs during National Blood Donor Month.

Red Cross spokesperson Laura McGuire said due to recent, unrelenting cold temperatures, the organization had to cancel a number of its blood drives.

“If you look at the storm out east, we had about 150 blood drives forced to be canceled, which resulted in about 5,000 blood and platelet donations going uncollected in the last four days,” McGuire explained.

With donations down and drives being canceled, the Red Cross has more than 28,000 fewer donations than what was needed in November and December. McGuire explained if people want to donate blood but aren’t sure where to go, there are a few ways to get involved.

“You can use the Blood Donor App, go to redcrossblood.org, or call 1-800-REDCROSS for an appointment,” said McGuire. “We’re just asking people to roll up their sleeves for the gift of life.

The Red Cross is in critical need of platelets, type O negative, B negative and AB blood. Information on blood drives, including locations, can be found at redcrossblood.org.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

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