The American Red Cross says its national blood supply is at the lowest level for January in 10 years because winter storms and resulting travel disruptions caused cancellation of 14,000 donations.
"Winter weather is what has really caused this problem," said Debbie Estes, director of communications for the American Red Cross' southeast region.
The shortage is most severe in the Northeast, which has been hammered with January snow, and in the Southeast, said Estes, who is based in Charlotte. "Typically we do not see a lot of ice and snow, but we've had a good bit of winter weather," she said.
The Red Cross has issued new appeals for donations to replenish supplies and is asking its sponsoring organizations, such as companies and churches that frequently organize blood drives and host donation sites, to schedule new drives and contact regular donors.
The organization is using e-mail, Twitter and social media sites to spread the word, and phoning to ask past donors to give now, Estes said. In some areas, it is promoting T-shirt giveaways and drawings for donors; prizes include trips to Graceland or Las Vegas.
"Maintaining sufficient blood to meet patient needs is a delicate balance between supply and demand," Richard Benjamin, chief medical officer of the American Red Cross, said in a written statement. "When severe weather disrupts that balance, the Red Cross puts out a call to potential blood donors across the country to give blood as soon as possible and help make up the deficit."
So far there is enough blood to meet medical needs and no hospitals have reported delaying elective surgeries, Estes said.
The Red Cross is acting now to avoid critical shortages and allow it to continue to be able to respond to emergency needs for large quantities of blood, Estes said.
"You don't wait until you are out of fuel to refuel," she said. "There is a constant need for blood. ... It's like a pipeline. We have to constantly be sure the need is being met. ... The concern is that losing this many donations over a prolonged period disrupts the blood supply and makes it hard to catch up."
By William M. Welch, USA TODAY
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