CLEVELAND — The Red Cross is calling for donations with the national blood supply currently below three days.
Red Cross says the emergency need for blood comes after a difficult Fourth of July Week when fewer than 450 blood drives were organized by volunteer hosts than a typical week.
“Blood is only available when generous blood and platelet donors roll up a sleeve to give, and right now, all donors – especially those give have never given or haven’t given in a while – are urged to make an appointment to give today,” said Cliff Numark, senior vice president of Red Cross Blood Services.
The decrease in blood drives led to about 17,000 fewer blood donations than needed for patients in a single week.
Despite efforts in June to get more people to donate, donations fell short, resulting in more than 24,000 fewer donations than needed during a typical month.
The Red Cross says a five-day supply is ideal. Donors of all blood types, particularly type O, are encouraged to make an appointment using the Blood Donor App or at RedCrossBlood.org.
