Blood Drive Cancellations Grow as Winter Storm Blankets the South

A significant winter storm is affecting millions of people across the South, bringing frigid temperatures, heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain to areas that don’t often experience such harsh winter weather. Travel is hazardous, schools are closed and hundreds of flights are canceled.

The ongoing severe weather has caused the cancelation of more than 300 blood drives, resulting in more than 8,000 blood donations going uncollected so far this year. This current storm has already impacted about 70 blood drives, with 2,000 blood donations uncollected. Thousands more blood donations could be at risk and these conditions are stretching the American Red Cross national blood supply needed to provide lifesaving treatments to patients across the U.S.

The draw-down of platelet supplies due to weather cancellations is particularly concerning. Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding and are most often used by cancer patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries. With a shelf life of just 5 days, every platelet donation is vital for ongoing patient care.

In addition to canceling blood drives, hazardous weather conditions can make it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, potentially affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations.

Where it is safe to do so, we encourage people to schedule a blood donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross is working with state and local officials, supporting warming centers and shelters in some areas. Anyone who needs a safe place to stay can find information on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps. You can also find information by following your local Red Cross and local emergency officials on social media, signing up for free emergency alerts from your local government or by monitoring local news.

The Red Cross is also on the ground in California, helping victims of the devastating wildfires there. Learn more.

WINTER SAFETY Stay warm indoors. If your home becomes too cold, go to a public library, shopping mall or warming center.

• Use care with space heaters and fireplaces to prevent fires. Keep anything that could catch fire at least 3 feet from the heat. Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

• Use battery-powered lights and flashlights instead of candles to prevent fires.

• To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t use an oven to heat your home.

• Carbon monoxide kills. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak, get to fresh air right away.

• If you must go outside, wear layers of loose clothing, a coat, hat, mittens and water-resistant boots. Use a scarf to cover your face and mouth.

• Check on loved ones and neighbors to make sure they are staying warm, particularly if they are older or live alone.

• Be careful walking on snow or ice and avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. If possible, work with a partner and take frequent breaks.

• Stay off the roads when possible. If you become stranded, stay in the vehicle and wait for help.

Stay warm to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. Your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers and toes are often the first areas affected.

• Signs of frostbite include pain, numbness or a change in skin color.

• Signs of hypothermia, which can be deadly, often include shivering, confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech.

• Act fast and get out of the cold immediately if you see signs of hypothermia or frostbite.

• Get emergency medical care right away.

POWER OUTAGES If you’re using a generator to power your home, please keep it outside and away from doors, windows and vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Keep the generator dry and don’t use it in wet conditions.

  • Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device inside a home, garage, basement or other partially enclosed area: Keep this equipment outside and away from doors, windows and vents, which could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

  • Operate the generator on a dry surface and don’t touch a generator with wet hands.

  • Turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could catch fire.

  • Plug appliances directly into the generator. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet.

  • Carbon monoxide kills. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak, get to fresh air right away.

During a power outage, unplug appliances and electronics to avoid damage from power surges. Leave one light on, so you’ll know when power is restored.

• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns — not candles to avoid fires.

• Don’t drive unless necessary. Traffic lights will be out, and roads could be congested.

To prevent illness, keep food cold. When in doubt, throw it out.

• Eat fresh, perishable foods first.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help keep food cold.

• Use coolers with ice if necessary.

• Measure the food temperature in your refrigerator and freezer with a thermometer. Throw out perishable food that has been warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

HOME FIRE SAFETY Red Cross teams have been responding to more home fires in recent days. Learn what to do should a fire start in your home.

Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and expert advice on wildfires in both English and Spanish. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.