American Red Cross blood supplies remain at seriously low levels. Red Cross officials say the massive heat wave encompassing much of the country is hurting blood collections at a time when the Red Cross has been working to rebuild its inventories to adequate levels. The high temperatures have made it extremely difficult to recruit sufficient numbers of donors to go out and give blood.
The Red Cross has added blood drives in some areas and is reaching out to eligible blood donors, sponsors and community leaders to ask them to recruit blood donors to help meet the needs of patients in communities across the United States.
The Red Cross Appalachian Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 37 hospitals and must have 320 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand.
Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
Eligible blood donors are asked to please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive and to make an appointment.
