CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The American Red Cross is calling on West Virginians to donate blood as organization deals with a severe nationwide shortage.
Erica Mani, regional CEO with the American Red Cross Central Appalachia Region, said they’re urging donors of all blood types, especially type O, to make an appointment.
“We are experiencing a need that goes above and beyond the 13,000 units of blood that we have to collect daily,” she said. “We have to collect an additional 1,000 units to keep up with demand.”
Mani said the shortage is due to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits to the hospital. An increased in organ transplants and surgeries are also on the rise amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Mani said the Red Cross is already challenged with collecting blood donations during the summer months.
“People are on vacation, schools are closed, some of those places where we often get a lot of blood donations aren’t available in the summer,” Mani said. “When you couple that with the increased need now, it makes sense why we’re having this (shortage).”
As a way to thank donors, the Red Cross will provide those who give blood from July 7-31 a $10 Amazon Gift Card through their email and will also be automatically entered for a chance to win gas for a year at $5,000 value.
“Additionally, in the month of July, if you donate blood, you will be entered for a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point,” Mani said.
Donor appointments can be made online at redcrossblood.org, at 1-800-RED-CROSS or by downloading the Red Cross blood app.