Blood Donations Are Needed This Summer

The Red Cross has issued another alert for donors this summer, because of an emergency shortage of blood.  Isabel Anderson, with the Red Cross, said summer is normally a slow time for blood donations, because people go on vacation and there are no high school blood drives.  She added certain blood types are always in high demand.

"We have a serious need for platelets, type O blood and B negative blood, specifically," Anderson said.  "Of course, we will take any blood.  We're happy to take your donations as long as you're willing to come in."

Anderson added most people think blood lasts a long time after a donation.

"We had a recent Red Cross survey that found less than one in five respondents knew that blood cannot be stockpiled, because it has a shortened shelf life," she said.

Giving blood can take as little as ten minutes, if you've preregistered on the Red Cross app.  Click Here to find locations near you to donate.

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