SOUTH CAROLINA, January 24, 2024 — The American Red Cross continues to experience an emergency blood shortage as severe winter weather has further impacted the ability to rebuild the blood supply.
Blood and platelet donors are urged to give now to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.
The national blood supply remains at critically low levels. Blood drives have been canceled in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood.
As a result, nearly 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected this month alone. In addition to dangerous road conditions, many Americans have dealt with flight and shipping delays, and the Red Cross is no different. Snow, ice and extreme temperatures have made it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations.
As much of the country warms up this week, individuals are urged to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all those who come to give Feb. 1-29, 2024, will receive a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details. The nation is currently facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. When fewer people donate blood, any disruption to blood donations – like recent weather systems – can have a huge effect on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion.
Generous blood donors are vital to ensuring those in need of transfusions have access to lifesaving care.