Local Blood Supply Impacted After Flooding Forced Cancellations

Download this entry as a DOC file.

Heavy rains over the weekend cancelled three American Red Cross blood drives and closed three others early, resulting in approximately 100 lost donations at a time when the local blood supply is at just a two-day level. A three- to five-day blood supply is considered stable.

With the Illinois River expected to crest on Thursday and many would-be blood donors busy cleaning up, the Red Cross encourages all eligible donors to call 1.800.GIVE.LIFE or go online to givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets in the coming days and weeks to ensure the blood supply doesn’t drop to a critical level.

“While the timing of severe weather is never good, the flooding over the weekend came at a particular bad time,” said Shelly Heiden, CEO of the American Red Cross Heat of America Blood Services Region. “We saw a drop in donations due to the Labor Day holiday weekend and were just beginning to rebuild the blood supply and then this happened.”

All blood types are needed for patients, especially type O negative. A blood donor card, driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors need to be at least 17 years of age (16 with a signed Red Cross parental/guardian consent form) and must weigh at least 110 pounds.

For more information about ongoing disaster relief efforts and to help by making a monetary donation, please visit redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

About the American Red Cross
Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

« back to newsroom