American Red Cross | Central Ohio Blood Services Region




		Media Center Winter storms cancel blood drives Donors needed now January 28, 2009 Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. And that need doesn’t change due to winter weather. Poor weather conditions in Ohio have caused the cancellation of many blood drives today, resulting in a loss of 1,703 blood donations across the state just today. In recent weeks, the American Red Cross has seen low donor turnout at blood drives due to frigid weather and snow storms. “The severe winter weather cripples our ability to collect life-saving blood donations,” states Rodney Wilson, communications manager for the local Red Cross. “We ask those who are able to please make an appointment to give in the coming days to help boost the supply of life-saving blood.” The Central Ohio Red Cross alone needs about 650 donors each day to meet patient needs at 39 area hospitals. “The need for blood doesn’t stop even when severe winter weather seems to bring life to a halt,” said Wilson. An adequate level of each blood type is three to five days supply. Today the Red Cross has four types below a one-day supply, including the universal type O-negative. Please sign up to give now. Extra incentive to give: Those who come to give blood in January can enter to win weekly drawings for $100 gas cards or a $2,000 AAA vacation giveaway! 0109AP075			Media contacts Central Ohio Blood Services (614) 253-2740 1-800-338-8086 Rodney J. Wilson Communications Manager extension 2347 e-mail Heather Reichle Communications Specialist extension 2275 e-mail Other Red Cross lines of service You can find your local Red Cross chapter by searching on redcross.org or by checking the white pages of your local phone directory. National media inquiries Click here for listings