Donating blood is one way to support people affected by Hurricane Ian
Oct 4, 2022, 3:43 PM
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 03: Members of the City of Miami Florida Task Force 2 Search and Rescue team check homes for victims in the wake of Hurricane Ian on October 3, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The death toll in the state from Ian rose to at least 100 following the storm making landfall as Category 4 hurricane, causing extensive damage along the coast as rescue crews continued the search for survivors. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — When Hurricane Ian plowed across Florida last week it wiped out buildings, marinas, and other areas. It also destroyed blood donation centers and now Utah’s help is needed.
The Utah Red Cross urged Utahns to roll up their sleeves and donate blood.
The storm led to the cancellation of several blood drives in Florida and now the area is short more than 1,000 units of blood.
“The widespread damage left in Hurricane Ian’s wake included blood donation centers, contributing to a blood shortage in the area,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “While we don’t typically service hospitals in Florida, the Red Cross of Utah is standing by to provide additional products as needed.”
Type O blood was especially needed because it can be given to anyone.
Rescue teams continue to find residents affected by Hurricane Ian
“The Red Cross depends on generous volunteer blood donors every day to provide lifesaving blood for those in need, but especially during times of disaster,” Dr. Walter Kelley, divisional chief medical officer for the Pacific, Rocky Mountain, and Southwest Divisions of the American Red Cross said. “By choosing to give now, you will be helping people in Florida in need of emergency lifesaving care or transfusions for medical treatment, while also helping to boost the future blood supply.”
You can schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, clicking on redcrossbloo.orgredcrossblood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
