The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of blood types today.
There is a critical blood shortage, according to Joe Zydio, Red Cross external communications manager of the Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region.
Red Cross officials said there are about 61,000 fewer donations than needed for the past two months, causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply. According to officials, this shortfall is about the same as the Red Cross not collecting any blood donations for more than four days.
Zydio said there are two times a year when the blood supply has typically reached an emergency stage – right after July 4, and also, right after Thanksgiving and around the December holidays.
“It’s crucial that people donate now to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood,” Zydlo said in a news release. “Every day, blood and platelet donors can help save lives, and right now these heroes are needed to give as soon as possible.”
Zydio said it is easy for residents to visit the website, redcrossblood.org, enter their Zip Code, and find where upcoming blood drive opportunities are in their neighborhoods. The website also is a good resource for information about how to prepare for a blood donation and it answers questions about whether people are eligible to donate, he said.
The next Wyandotte County blood drive sponsored by the Red Cross is from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at the AT&T Mobility store, 10620 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas.
There are other locations listed on the Red Cross website for upcoming blood drives in Johnson and Leavenworth counties, and also in Kansas City, Mo.