The American Red Cross says urgent action is needed as the nation deals with an ongoing blood shortage.
According to the Red Cross, the national blood supply has fallen by more than 25 percent since July 1. The Red Cross says nearly 50 percent of Americans in July experienced heat alerts, which hurt blood donation numbers.
Heat alerts discouraging blood drive turnout, combined with traditional summer blood drive obstacles such as travel and summer vacation, contributed to a shortfall of more than 19,000 expected donations. The July shortfall compounds a blood supply that was already struggling to keep up at the start of the summer.
The Red Cross says blood products are being sent to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, with Type O inventory so low distributions have been reduced to below what hospitals depend on.
You can help fight the blood shortage by organizing a blood drive in your community. All donors through the end of August will receive a $20 Amazon.com e-gift card as a thank you for donating, and any blood drive organizer that hits their patient commitment will receive a $100 gift card.
Blood drives are being hosted across the Quicksie and The Wolf listening areas. Download the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit www.redcrossblood.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to schedule an appointment near you.
