RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The American Red Cross has an emergency need for blood and platelet donors.
Severe weather since the start of January has forced more than 300 blood drivers across 20 states to be canceled. This means more than 9,500 donations weren’t collected, further depleting an already low winter supply.
Blood donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Click here for information about donor eligibility.
In the Mid-Atlantic Red Cross Blood Services Region, eleven blood drives were canceled since Jan. 23, causing more than 300 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.
“Blood products are being delivered to hospitals as quickly as donations are coming in,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “Eligible donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now and help ensure blood products are available for patients.”
Generous donors allow the Red Cross to provide blood products to patients like 2-year-old Charlie Stephens, who has received both blood and platelets during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her mother, Michelle Stephens, donates blood regularly.
“I want to help supply blood for someone else, because others have provided for my family,” she said.
The Red Cross must collect about 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at around 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
