The American Red Cross (redcross.org) critically needs blood and platelet donors now following a concerning decrease in donations as the country has experience an increase in severe weather systems and historical travel. Over the past month, about 20,000 fewer donations were collected than needed to maintain the Red Cross national blood supply.
With the dramatic increase in travel comes an increase in auto-related accidents and your donation could mean that hospitals have life-saving blood products on hand for all the trauma and accident victims who count on transfusions when there is no time to waste.
“Emergencies take many forms – some arising in a hospital and others arising as relentless and devastating storms,” said Jill Orton, regional executive of the Red Cross Nebraska-Iowa Region. “Unfortunately, our community has been no stranger to emergencies these past several weeks, but when I witness our communities come together – at a blood drive or after a disaster – I see us growing stronger. Together, we can provide help and hope that is very much needed right now.”
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood and teaches skills that save lives. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org.