Red Cross Still Needs Blood Donations

The American Red Cross said its blood supply is doing better following winter weather last month that caused issues for the agency.

During the most recent bout of winter weather in Georgia, the Red Cross was forced to cancel more than 50 blood drives in Georgia, leading to over 2,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations over a four-day period.

Red Cross Spokesperson Kristin Stancil said that the supply has been re-plenished over the last couple of weeks.

“Right now, we have had a lot of donors come in,” said Stancil.  “We are looking a lot better than we were.”

While the blood supply for the agency has improved, Stancil said the Red Cross still needs blood donors.

“We especially have  need for O negative, O positive, B negative, and A negative,” said Stancil.

Stancil said the Red Cross also needs platelet donors.

“We always have a platelet need,” said Stancil, citing their short shelf life.

Platelets are a key clotting component of blood often needed by cancer patients.

For more information on donating blood, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.

To give blood, individuals must be 17 years of age, or 16 years old with parental consent in some states, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health.