As wildfires continue to ravage the western United States and winter storms blanket elsewhere in frigid ice and snow, blood donations are urgently needed.
American Red Cross officials say donors of all blood types – particularly type O negative – are needed to help save lives this month. During January, which is National Blood Donor Month, more than 12,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected because of the ongoing California fires and winter storms.
In Mississippi and Alabama alone, 12 blood drives have been canceled due to weather, resulting in 200 uncollected blood product donations.
“Hazardous weather conditions have the potential to make it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, possibly affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations,” a portion of a Red Cross press release reads. “As National Blood Donor Month continues, the time to give is now.”
To celebrate National Blood Donor Month and to encourage more donations, anyone who donates through January 26, 2025, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a paid trip to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
