A series of severe weather events, including the impacts of recent Hurricane Debby, have the American Red Cross looking for donors to avoid a blood emergency. The organization said that recent events forced the cancellation of nearly 60 blood drives in the US, resulting in some 1,500 blood products to go uncollected. In Wisconsin alone 36 blood drives have been cancelled so far this year…the equivalent of 1,323 donations. Because blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer blood donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have serious consequences for hospitals and patients.
First-timers and regular donors alike are being urged to visit RedCrossBlood.org, or to call the Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment to donate. Donate now through the end of this month and you’ll get a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email, and donors September 1-15 will receive an exclusive Red Cross raglan T-shirt, while supplies last.
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