Winter storm essential beyond bread and milk: Giving blood
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America's blood supply faces a critical shortage while a major winter storm is forecast for parts of the South, potentially exacerbating the strain.
Why it matters: The Red Cross said blood donations were already down 35% nationally in the past month and asked people to donate to boost the supply before the winter weather hits.
What they're saying: "This time of year is always challenging for blood collection," Courtney Lawrence, executive medical director for the Red Cross, said in a statement.
- "But right now, the perfect storm of a long holiday season, record flu activity and winter weather are all impeding donation efforts."
By the numbers: Extreme weather affected about 400 blood drives in December — more than three times the number during that same period in 2024.
- Thousands of blood donations went uncollected in the past month because of winter weather.
Threat level: The nationwide flu outbreak already means overburdened hospitals are forced triage blood, per the Red Cross.
- The outbreak could have also sidelined blood donors.
How it works: Processing and testing blood can take three to five days, and then that blood can be distributed to hospitals, American Red Cross national spokesperson Rodney Wilson said in a statement.
- "It's the blood already on the shelves in an emergency that helps save lives, so we encourage people to not wait until an emergency or a winter storm before donating," he said.
Flashback: Last January, the American Red Cross warned about the lowest level of blood donors in two decades.
How to donate: Find local donation centers via the Department of Health and Human Services.
- The shortage is especially serious for types O, A negative and B negative, the Red Cross said.
- The Red Cross is offering $20 e-gift cards to people who donate between Jan. 26 and Feb. 28.
Go deeper: Millions brace for massive winter storm packing snow and ice
