Critical Blood Shortage: Westfield To Hold Drive

WESTFIELD, NJ — The American Red Cross is in desperate need of donations after they say the blood shortage has reached a critical level due to ongoing severe winter weather.

The weather has more than doubled the number of canceled American Red Cross blood drives and the resulting blood and platelet donation shortfall since earlier this month. The Red Cross now considers the situation critical and is reissuing an urgent call for blood and platelet donors.

A local blood drive will be held in Westfield on Sunday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Presbyterian Church at 140 Mountain Ave.

Another local drive will be held in Berkeley Heights on Feb. 2 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Summit Medical Group, 1 Diamond Hill Rd.

More than 550 blood drives were forced to cancel due to winter weather in January, causing more than 6,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected through last week.

In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, 35 blood drives have been forced to cancel due to winter weather this month, causing close to 1,100 donations to go uncollected. In addition, bitter cold and widespread flu have contributed to very low turnout at many blood drives.

“Blood and platelet donations are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in,” said Clifford Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “Donors are critically needed to restock the shelves for patients in their community as well as areas where donors are unable to give due to inclement weather.”

To make an appointment to give blood or platelets download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

(Image via Shutterstock)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.