Record-breaking cold and winter storms across much of the U.S. have had a significant impact on blood and platelet donations.
The American Red Cross is urging healthy individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give now to ensure blood products are available for patient emergencies when help can’t wait, reported regional communications director Jonathan McNamara.
Extreme winter weather has forced the cancellation of hundreds of Red Cross blood drives in about 30 states and caused more than 15,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected, said McNamara. In Virginia, over 300 units of blood have gone uncollected after multiple blood drives were canceled across the Commonwealth.
The American Red Cross will conduct blood drives from 2-7 p.m. Wednesday…[to-view-more]