The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors throughout the Mid-Atlantic Blood Services Region to give blood or platelets following the recent winter storm, which has compounded a severe winter blood shortage.

Snow and icy roads forced 27 blood drives to cancel in the Mid-Atlantic Blood Services Region, causing about 750 donations to go uncollected. Last month, nearly 100 blood drives were forced to cancel across the country due to severe weather, resulting in more than 3,100 blood donations going uncollected. Overall, hectic holiday schedules for many regular blood donors and weather contributed to about 37,000 fewer donations in November and December than what was needed.

“The need for blood doesn’t pause for severe weather — it’s constant,” said Bernadette Jay, external communications manager of the Mid-Atlantic Red Cross Blood Services. “Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in. Eligible donors of all blood types are critically needed.”

 

How to help

Eligible donors can find a blood donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites for more donors to give blood or platelets. Overall, the Red Cross has added nearly 200 hours to blood donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help speed up the donation process.

 

Who blood donations help

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all require blood to save their lives.

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Beaufort County:

Belhaven

Jan. 15: 1-5 p.m., Mount Olive Church of Christ, 39353 U.S. Highway 264 East

Jan. 20: 2-7 p.m., Bethany United Methodist Church, 2766 S. Savannah Road

 

Pinetown

Jan. 22: Noon-4:30 p.m., Five Points Free Will Baptist Church, 12357 N.C. Highway 32 North

 

Washington

Jan. 16: 3-7 p.m., Fitness Unlimited, 622 W. 15th St.

Jan. 17: 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Masonic Lodge No. 675, 1110 Fifth St.

Jan. 17: Noon-5 p.m., First Christian Church, 401 E. Second St.

Jan. 19: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Department of Environmental Quality, 943 Washington Square Mall

Jan. 19: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 211 W. Second St.