Blood and Platelet Shortage Has Reached a Critical Level, Donors Needed

Posted on January 26, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Recent severe weather conditions have resulted in multiple blood drive cancellations, causing the Red Cross to declare that the blood and platelet shortage has reached a critical level.

According to a press release from the organization, no matter the weather is like, every day the Red Cross has to collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations to help meet the needs of patients. Due to the winter weather conditions in January, more than 550 blood drives were forced to cancel causing over 16,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.

Red Cross Communications Manager Rodney Wilson said currently, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they’re coming in. He said donors are critically needed to restock the shelves for patients within our own communities and for those in areas where donors are unable to give due to continuing inclement weather.

Upcoming blood drives for our area include one in Union Mills at the Conservation Club House from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. CT and another at Martin’s Super Market in Warsaw from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Both of those will be held Sunday, January 28th.

In Winamac, the Knights of Columbus are hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 31st. In Starke County, a drive will be held at North Judson United Methodist Church from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, February 1st and Oregon-Davis High School will hold one on Wednesday, February 7th from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. CT.

Additionally, a Medical Foundation Blood Drive will be hosted by Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter on Saturday, February 3rd at the Plymouth Fire Station from 8 a.m. until noon ET.

For more information or to schedule an appointment online visit redcrossblood.org.