
Following Hurricane Ian’s devastating landfall, the American Red Cross urges eligible individuals in unaffected areas to give blood and help ensure patients in impacted areas continue to have access to lifesaving blood. Dangerous weather conditions and floodwaters have canceled dozens of blood drives with approximately one thousand blood and platelet donations uncollected. Fewer donors are likely to come out to donate at drives in and around affected areas.
Please schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Last week, the Red Cross sent several hundred blood products to Florida to ensure blood remains available for patients in areas impacted by the storm. While the Red Cross does not typically service hospitals in Florida, it is supporting its industry partners through the AABB Task Force for Disaster Response and standing by to provide additional products as needed. Through its national inventory management system, the Red Cross has the ability to move blood around the country to wherever and whenever it is needed most.
It’s important to remember that blood is perishable and cannot be stockpiled. Type O positive blood is the most transfused blood type and type O negative is the universal blood type, which can be transfused to patients of any blood type. Additionally, platelets are especially vulnerable with only a five-day shelf-life. These blood products are routinely in short supply and must constantly be replenished.
The Red Cross depends on generous volunteer blood donors to provide lifesaving blood for those in need – each and every day – not only during times of disaster.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.