By: Ryan Duey
The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage after its national blood inventory fell over 25% in July. Record-setting summer heat has disrupted nearly 100 blood drives nationwide. Despite these difficulties, the demand for blood products in hospitals has remained steady, rapidly depleting supplies. Due to the supply of type O blood being so low, the organization has had to reduce distributions of this vital blood type in recent weeks to below hospital comfort levels.
Upcoming blood drives in the listening area include:
- Thursday, August 15 from 11 AM to 5 PM at the Catholic Church in Minneapolis.
- Wednesday, August 21 from 12:30 to 6:30 PM at the Belleville Wesleyan Church.
- Thursday, August 22 from Noon to 6 PM at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Concordia.
The organization urges the public to donate blood or platelets immediately to ensure patients receive necessary care. Appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
