The American Red Cross is asking donors to help replenish the St. Louis region’s blood supply after snow and frigid weather prevented blood collection for several days.
Red Cross spokesman Dan Fox says snow and cold across the country have led to a shortfall in donations.
“Here in the Missouri-Illinois region over the past five or six days, we’ve had to cancel more than 30 blood drives because of the weather,” Fox says. “And as a result of that, we’re seeing a shortfall of close to 900 units of blood and platelets.”
Nationwide, 300 blood drives have been canceled since January 2. Fox says supplies are currently still sufficient to meet patient demand, but a 2- to 3-day buffer is desired.
Now that roads are dry, eligible donors who’d like to give blood or platelets can visit www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or find a blood drive.
