Red Cross of Utah calls for urgent blood donations after severe storms cause shortage
Jan 7, 2025, 4:07 PM
LOUISVILLE, KY - JULY 07: A phlebotomist tends to the arm of a blood donor at the KFC YUM! Center during the Starts, Stripes, and Pints blood drive event on July 7, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. Rising numbers of organ transplants, trauma cases, and elective surgeries postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic have caused an influx in the need for blood products. The American Red Cross is holding this three day blood drive while offering incentives for donations, including Red Cross apparel, amusement park tickets, and free parking. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Red Cross of Utah is urging locals to donate blood after severe winter storms caused over 250 Red Cross blood drives to be canceled nationwide.
According to the Red Cross of Utah, over 5,000 blood donations could not be collected due to forced cancellations.
“The severe winter weather comes during a time of year when holiday activities and travel have already impacted blood donations,” Heidi Ruster, the chief executive officer of the America Red Cross Utah and Nevada regions, said.
Winter storms that have already hit areas in the Midwest and East Coast are expected to continue impacting areas in Texas and the mid-Atlantic, CNN reported.
In Utah, 45 hospitals are said to depend on Red Cross donations to meet the needs of their patients. Nationally, the Red Cross supplies 40% of the blood supply.
According to the Red Cross, approximately 45% of people in the U.S. have type O blood, positive or negative. Those with type O negative red cells are universal donors, meaning they can supply blood for patients with any blood type.
“We’re calling on Utahns – especially those with type O blood – to give now,” Ruster said in a release. “Every donation is critical in helping the Red Cross provide lifesaving blood to those in urgent need, particularly when disasters strike.”
Those who donate between Jan. 1 and Jan. 26 will be entered into the Super Bowl LIX Sweepstakes for a chance to win the prize package, which includes tickets, round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and pre-game event access.
