Severe Cold Weather Hurts Blood Donations
By:
DULUTH - The American Red Cross is in need of blood donations to help restock its blood supply this month.
Severe weather in January canceled nearly 770 of the organization's blood drives, which would have brought in more than 25,000 donations.
The agency provides about 40 percent of the nation's blood.
A healthy supply of blood could mean the difference between life and death for some patients.
"Any time you hear the story of someone who had a family member that was saved due to blood donations it really reminds you of just the vital nature of why having that blood supply stocked is really important," said Dan Williams, executive director of the Northland Red Cross.
Red Cross officials said they need all blood types to provide a sufficient supply of blood.
There is an urgent need for blood types O positive, A and B negative.
A donation of one pint of blood can save up to three lives.
The Northland chapter of the Red Cross will have a blood drive March 31.
If you would like to donate before then, contact the Red Cross or your local blood supplier.