Red Cross Facing Critical Blood Shortage

The American Red Cross is calling on people to roll up their sleeves in response to a critical blood shortage, the most severe in the last two decades.

The number of blood donors has dramatically dropped by about 40%.This alarming decrease could delay medical procedures and endanger lives. With concerns that the situation could worsen due to winter weather and a spike in respiratory viruses, the need for donation is more urgent than ever.

“Moving into January, it’s a very difficult time for us to collect blood because of the weather and seasonal illness. All of those factors have converged to put us into this situation that we’re in now,” Marita Salkowski, American Red Cross Regional Communications Director Central & Southern Ohio Region, said.

To combat this crisis, the Red Cross is asking the public to help boost the blood supply by donating. Every donation counts and can make a lifesaving difference in this critical time.

“That process of an hour of donating blood saves lives. There isn’t anything more that a person can do during an hour’s period of time that is more impactful than the ability to save people’s lives,” Salkowski said.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, visit the American Red Cross website.

Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross (redcrossblood.org)