Red Cross Blood Drive In Cinnaminson Feb. 1

CINNAMINSON, NJ - An American Red Cross Blood Drive is set for early next month in Cinnaminson as the Red Cross declares an emergency blood shortage. The Cinnaminson blood drive is set for Feb. 1, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Cinnaminson High School, 1197 Riverton Road.

The Red Cross said it collected more than 27,000 less blood and platelet donations the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s than needed to sustain a sufficient blood supply.

During this period, about 1,350 less blood drives were hosted by volunteer sponsor groups than required to meet patient needs as busy holiday schedules kept many donors away.

“Many people may not realize that blood products are perishable, and the only source of lifesaving blood for patients is volunteer blood donors,” Red Cross Biomedical Services Senior Vice President Cliff Numark said. “When donations decline – as they did around the holidays and may further decline if severe winter weather and flu season pick up – lifesaving medical treatments could be delayed.”

Right now, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types on hand, well below the ideal five-day supply needed to respond to emergencies and daily hospital needs. Blood products are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.

“We hope people can resolve to save lives now – when there is an emergency need – as well as throughout the year,” Numark said.

All eligible donors, especially platelet donors and blood donors with type O blood, are urged to make an appointment to give in the coming days to help restock the shelves for hospital patients.

Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter.

With several weeks of winter ahead, severe winter weather poses an additional threat to an already low blood supply. Snow, ice and extreme temperatures last January and February forced hundreds of blood drive cancellations, causing about 23,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.

In December, winter weather resulted in nearly twice the number of uncollected blood and platelet donations as December 2017.

Image via Shutterstock.