Red Cross: National blood supply at critically low levels after winter storm disrupted blood drives

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The Red Cross says due to the winter storm, more than 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected since January 23, leaving their blood donation shelves like this one in Richmond, Va. bare. (American Red Cross)

The Red Cross is continuing to experience a severe blood shortage after the winter storm canceled approximately 500 blood drives across the country.  As a result, the Red Cross says more than 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected since January 23.

Despite the heavy snowfall, the Red Cross says its employees and volunteers are working hard to ensure blood is available to patients who need it. (American Red Cross)

The Red Cross says its employees and volunteers are working hard to ensure blood is available to patients who need it and are urging people to donate when it is safe to travel to a donation site.

What you can do:

To book an appointment to give blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

By the numbers:

The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood.  The Red Cross says in the U.S., more than 16 million units of blood and blood products are transfused annually and more than 45,000 units are needed each day. 

In addition to collecting blood donations, the Red Cross teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families.