Salt Lake City (ABC 4 News) - Communities across the country have been hit by another round of severe winter storms. The American Red Cross has been forced to cancel over 750 blood drives nationwide, resulting in a shortfall of more than 28,000 blood donations since January 1.
“It's difficult for blood donors in our area to make a connection with reports of massive snow storms and power outages,” said Julia Wulf, chief executive officer for the Lewis and Clark Blood Services Region of the Red Cross. “Fortunately, our local donors can help other Red Cross operations in the affected areas. We’re encouraging people in our area to donate blood and platelets in the coming days and weeks.”
The Red Cross distributes blood nationwide so even though Utah blood collections have not been affected by the winter storms, our support can help those who are affected.
People are asked to make and keep an appointment to give blood by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting http://redcrossblood.org.
All blood types are needed, but there is a special need for donors with O-Negative, A-Negative and B-Negative blood.
The Red Cross distributes blood products to approximately 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the United States. People have been responding to the call for blood donors, and the Red Cross is grateful to those who are stepping up to donate blood to help the blood supply recover and return to sufficient levels.
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 18 years of age (17 with parental permission), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross Blood Service Region headquartered in Salt Lake City serves 33 hospitals in Utah, and needs to collect about 440 units of blood a day to meet patient needs. In addition to supplying nearly half of the nation’s blood, the American Red Cross teaches lifesaving skills, provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization—not a government agency—and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.
---AMERICAN RED CROSS PRESS RELEASE
