Red Cross calls for blood and platelet donors after severe weather impacts collections

Critical Need for Type O Donors

The American Red Cross has a critical shortage of type O blood and urges type O donors to give now to ensure blood is available for patients facing trauma and other life-threatening situations. All other blood types are also needed at this time.

Make Your Appointment

Give Blood

The American Red Cross is calling for all eligible blood and platelet donors to make an appointment to give to help offset the weather-related shortfall in donations.

More than 100 Red Cross blood drives across the eastern United States were canceled due to extreme winter conditions. These cancellations resulted in a shortfall of nearly 4,500 blood and platelet donations on March 14 alone.

“The need for blood does not get a snow day,” said Alana Mauger, communications manager for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Services Region “For those in storm affected areas, please come out to donate when travel is safe. For those in unaffected areas, please help restock the blood shelves for patients now.”

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.