Community Corner
Northridge Locals Donate Blood At Red Cross Drive
The Northridge Fashion Center was transformed Tuesday to host a blood drive amid a nationwide shortage.
NORTHRIDGE, CA — Many Northridge locals' trip to the mall will look a bit different Tuesday.
The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive Tuesday from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Northridge Fashion Square. The Red Cross is currently facing their lowest blood supply level in over 10 years, according to the WNTC.
As of 12:30 p.m., there was only one online appointment left, meaning the Northridge community really showed out.
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Given the dire situation, the Red Cross has been working to incentivize people to donate; Northridge locals who donate in October will receive a free Zaxby's Signature Sandwich or $5 gift card.
Nationwide Blood Shortage
The amount of blood donations has gone down sharply in recent months due to the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19, school starting back up and people going back to their busy lives, said Nina Minton, account manager for the Red Cross.
Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Additionally, COVID-19 restrictions have made blood drives at schools nearly impossible. This is a major problem, Minton said, given schools are generally the Red Cross's biggest source of post-summer blood donations.
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