Red Cross calls on new donors amid blood shortage

Posted on July 9, 2019
Red Cross
The American Red Cross is calling on new donors resulting from a shortage in blood supply over the holiday. (Photo courtesy Red Cross)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – After the holiday, the American Red Cross is calling on new donors amid a shortage of blood supply.

During the holiday, the Red Cross had about 17,000 fewer blood donations than needed for patients in a single week, causing the Red Cross to now have less than a three-day supply of most blood types available, and less than a two-day supply of type O blood for patients. At least a five-day supply is desired.

“Right now, the Red Cross only has less than a three-day supply when we need a five-day supply to be prepared for all situations that require blood products,” said senior vice president Cliff Numark in a news release. “To help meet this need, we’ve added about 8,000 additional appointments at blood donations centers, and community blood drives over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors.”

Donors can donate at the American Red Cross donation center at 1 Westport Ct.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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