The Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and urgently needs blood and platelet donors to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients.
Over 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations we collected during September and October than what hospitals needed.
The shortfall in donations is largely a result of fewer groups signing up to host blood drives over the last two months. Additionally, hurricanes Florence and Michael forced thousands of donations to go uncollected due to widespread blood drive cancellations, further depleting the blood supply.
You can make an appointment to give blood or platelets by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.