Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (Aug. 24, 2024) — As the American Red Cross continues to face a national blood shortage, hurricanes and severe weather in other parts of the country continue to cancel blood drives frustrating efforts to rebuild the nation’s blood supply. The recent impact of Hurricane Debby caused more blood drives to be canceled, intensifying an already critical supply deficit.
These cancellations underscore the urgent need for increased blood donations both nationally and in Southern Nevada. “Given the milder weather in Southern Nevada, we’re asking our community members to schedule an appointment and donate blood,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “The high number of cancellations has continued to strain the Red Cross blood supply. We rely on community support to ensure hospitals have the needed supply of lifesaving blood.”
Each year, severe weather events like hurricanes, flooding, blizzards and tornadoes result in the cancellation of blood drives, leaving more than 90,000 blood donations uncollected. Since July, extreme heat and other factors have led to nearly 20,000 uncollected units of blood nationwide, at a time when donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand.
Schedule your blood donation today
As a key contributor to the nation’s blood inventory, the Red Cross supplies around 40% of all collected blood, supporting over 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. To meet patients’ needs, the Red Cross must collect about 12,500 blood and 3,000 platelet donations daily. In Southern Nevada, nearly 20 hospitals rely on the Red Cross for their blood supply.
Donors can easily book an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a token of appreciation, all donors visiting between Aug. 1-31, 2024, will receive a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. For more information, please visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help. Those who come to give Sept. 1-15 will receive an exclusive Red Cross raglan T-shirt, while supplies last.
Urgent need for Type O blood
While all blood types are needed, the current shortage of type O blood has caused a reduction in distributions, affecting hospitals that rely on this crucial blood type. About 38% of the population has type O positive, which can be given to anyone with a positive type, meaning that about 76% of the population can receive O positive transfusions, making it the most frequently used blood type. Type O negative serves as the universal blood type, crucial in emergencies when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type.
Host a blood drive
Businesses, churches, schools and community groups in Southern Nevada are encouraged to organize Red Cross blood drives. Hosting a blood drive is a meaningful way to give back to the community and support a crucial cause. The Red Cross provides planning assistance, recruitment tools and on-site support to ensure a successful event. Learn more about hosting a blood drive at redcrossblood.org/host-a-drive.
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.
