CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The American Red Cross has an emergency need for blood and platelet donors.
Severe winter weather since Jan. 1 has forced the cancellation of more than 300 blood drives across 20 states, resulting in more than 9,500 donations uncollected, further depleting an already low winter supply. Blood donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
In the Tennessee Valley Red Cross Blood Services Region, serving Tennessee and parts of Kentucky, 39 blood drives were canceled since Jan. 20, causing 920 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.
“Blood products are being delivered to hospitals as quickly as donations are coming in,” said Tiffany Taylor, external communications manager of the Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region. “Eligible donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now and help ensure blood products are available for patients.”
Because of generous donors, the Red Cross is able to provide blood products to patients like 2-year-old Charlie Stephens. Charlie has received both blood and platelets during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her mother, Michelle Stephens, donates blood regularly. “I want to help supply blood for someone else, because others have provided for my family,” she said.
The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.