TRAVERSE CITY — The Red Cross has issued an urgent call for donations across Michigan after a dozen blood donation drives were canceled due to severe weather.
Blood supply has dropped by 35% and those shortages directly affect its distribution to local hospitals. On top of bad weather slowing donations, Red Cross of Northern Michigan executive director Michelle Gallagher said flu season has also prevented donors. O negative and B negative blood types are especially needed right now. Gallegher said the lack of available blood creates a critical situation for those in need.
“There’s all kinds of people that need blood; patients who rely on transfusions, trauma victims, mothers in childbirth, people with sickle cell disease, cancer and more,” said Gallegher. “Eight times a day, every two minutes somebody needs blood.”
To register to donate blood click here.