Blood and platelet donors needed now

The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to give blood or platelets following the winter storm, which has compounded a severe winter blood shortage.   

Snow and icy roads forced 33 blood drives to cancel throughout the Carolinas, causing nearly 1,200 donations to go uncollected. Last month, nearly 100 blood drives were forced to cancel across the country due to severe weather, resulting in more than 3,100 blood donations going uncollected. Overall, hectic holiday schedules for many regular blood donors and weather contributed to about 37,000 fewer donations in November and December than what was needed.

Find a blood donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help speed up the donation process.

– article submitted by Maya Franklin

Want to donate blood?

Date: Monday, Jan. 23

Time: 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Location: Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 150 Melrose Ave., Tryon