Snow days, flu compound Red Cross blood shortages
The need for blood donors is critical.
Winter weather forced the American Red Cross to cancel 550 blood drives nationwide in January, causing more than 16,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.
While these numbers cannot be broken down to county levels, officials say they confirm the effects of the blood shortage are being felt everywhere.
In addition to snow and ice, bitter cold and widespread flu have contributed to very low turnout at many blood drives
“Blood and platelet donations are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in,” said Clifford Numark, senior vice president of Red Cross Blood Services. “Donors are critically needed to restock the shelves for patients in their community as well as areas where donors are unable to give due to inclement weather.”
Kristen Lane of the Central Blood Bank said collections at their 22 brick and mortar, community donor centers — one of which is in Butler and another in Cranberry Township — have also suffered.
For more information on how to donate, visit www.redcrossblood.org or www.centralbloodbank.org.
A full report appears in the Butler Eagle.
