CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a story published on February 18, 2021.
The American Red Cross is urgently seeking healthy blood donors following last week's nationwide severe weather.
According to an email from the organization, the bad weather across the country has had a significant impact on blood and platelet donations. The Red Cross is urging healthy people- especially those with type O blood- to donate blood now.
The recent winter storms forced the cancellation of hundreds of Red Cross blood drives and caused more than 15,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. In Ohio alone, nearly 700 donations have gone uncollected as more than 20 blood drives were canceled.
Thousands of patients rely on blood donations every day. The need for blood is constant regardless of weather conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Anyone interested in donating blood is urged to make an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767.
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