Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Winter weather the past few weeks has caused the American Red Cross to cancel blood and platelet drives that help save lives. Now, the nonprofit is appealing for Americans to donate to restock the shelves of blood banks.
In March alone, more than 200 blood drives were cancelled due to weather, resulting in roughly 7,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations, according to the Red Cross. They added come on top of more than 26,400 uncollected blood and platelet donations in February due to severe weather across 27 states.
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“Blood products are being delivered to hospitals almost as quickly as they come in,” Red Cross spokesperson said Steve Mavica. “Donors who give now aren’t just restocking our shelves, they are making sure hope continues to be available for patients in need.”
Red Cross officials note that despite winter weather, patients still reply on transfusions.
From the Red Cross:
The Red Cross urges donors of all blood types to make and keep appointments to help restock its shelves. Platelet donors, as well as blood donors with the most in-demand blood types – O negative, A negative and B negative – are particularly encouraged to give in the days and weeks to come to help replenish the blood supply.
Platelets help prevent massive blood loss and are a vital part of cancer and organ transplant treatments. With a shelf life of just five days, platelet donations are especially needed. Eligible donors with types O negative, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to donate double red cells where available. During a double red cell donation, two units of red cells are collected while most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor.
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To find a convenient donation opportunity and schedule an appointment, donors can download the free Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
