Red Cross offering gift cards to donors

The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage as winter weather further impacts the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Individuals who may be eligible are urged to give blood and platelets as soon as it is safe for them to travel to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed. The national blood supply remains at critically low levels.

The recent storm impacting half the United States population has canceled blood drives in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood. As a result, approximately 450 blood drives have been canceled, and more than 10,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected in just the last three days, from January 23-26, with more cancelations expected due to freezing temperatures throughout much of the country. This is on top of the more than 400 blood drives canceled last month due to severe weather. Snow, ice and extreme temperatures can make it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations. With more winter weather possible in the days and weeks ahead, more donors are needed as soon as it is safe for them to travel. There’s no time to wait. Book an appointment now to give blood or platelets by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross encourages everyone to be safe, and to make an appointment to donate as soon as it is safe to travel. Those who are not impacted by the storm are urged to donate immediately. As a thank-you to donors for helping tackle the blood shortage, all who come to give between now through February 28 will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details. 

              — Alexis Gonzalez