Communities across The United States are encouraged to stay ready for possible emergencies, and to give blood or platelets during National Preparedness Month, September 2024.
The American Red Cross continues to experience a National blood supply emergency. Remnants of Hurricane Debby, earlier in August, and other severe weather events across the Country have complicated efforts, to rebuild the Nation’s blood supply. Those in unaffected areas are urged to make an appointment to give now.
Weather in recent weeks has added to the summer shortfall in donations by forcing the cancellation of nearly 60 blood drives throughout the Country, many of which were caused by Debby. Those cancellations caused approximately 1500 lifesaving blood products to go uncollected.
Annually, severe weather–such as blizzards, tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes–impacts about 90,000 blood donations made to the Red Cross. Because “blood has a short shelf life” and can only come from human donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have serious consequences for hospitals and patients.
First-time donors and those who give regularly are critical to blood supply recovery. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App; visit RedCrossBlood.org; or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767.)
In thanks, all who come to give through Saturday, August 31, will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Help for details.
Those who come to give from Sunday, September 1, thorugh Sunday, September 15, will receive an exclusive Red Cross raglan T-shirt, while supplies last.