02/01/11 The latest winter storm on the East Coast is causing more blood drive cancellations and the American Red Cross is urging people in all areas of the country to schedule a blood donation in the coming days.
Last week the Red Cross issued a nationwide appeal for blood donors to boost a dwindling blood supply. Winter weather caused thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected throughout the eastern half of the country. The latest snowfall has worsened the situation, with more blood drives cancelled and a total of about 16,400 blood and platelet donations not collected over the last several weeks. The Red Cross has not seen its national blood supply drop this dramatically at this time of year over the past ten years.
Local blood drive include: Wednesday, February 2nd from the 11:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Isidore Hall on Bike Street in Bremen, Thursday, February 3rd from 11:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall on East Jefferson Street in Plymouth, Monday, February 7th from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Bremen Middle School on West South Street, and Thursday, February 24th 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ancilla College.
In the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross all blood types are needed, but there is a particular need for people with negative blood types – O-negative, A-negative and B-negative – to give blood now.
People across the country have been responding to the call for blood donors, and the Red Cross hopes that support will continue. Despite the weather, patients continue to need blood. After a prolonged drop in blood donations, it takes time to build the blood supply back to an adequate level.
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 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), 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 Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals. In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.
