From American Red Cross

 

As severe winter weather begins to subside, the American Red Cross is asking all eligible blood and platelet donors to help offset a weather-related shortfall in donations.

Since the beginning of January, winter storms and freezing temperatures have resulted in more than 600 Red Cross blood drive cancellations and nearly 20,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations. In Virginia and eastern North Carolina, severe winter weather forced the cancellation of more than 50 Red Cross blood drives, resulting in more than 1,700 fewer-than-expected blood and platelet donations over the past several days.

“It’s the blood products already on the shelves that help save lives when severe weather hits,” said Page Gambill, CEO of the Red Cross Mid-Atlantic/Appalachian Blood Services Region. “Thanks to generous Red Cross blood and platelet donors, blood products were available for patients who still needed transfusions despite the weather. Now, we invite those previously ‘frozen out’ from giving blood or platelets to come in soon.”

 

Platelet donors, as well as blood donors with the most in-demand blood types — O positive and O negative, A negative and B negative — are urgently needed to give blood in the days and weeks ahead to offset the shortfall.

Platelets, a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients, must be transfused within five days of donation, so donations are constantly needed. Red blood cells, the oxygen-carrying component of blood, are the most widely transfused blood product and must be transfused within 42 days.

For platelet donations, call 1-888-353-1030 to make appointments.

To donate blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.