INDIANAPOLIS — The American Red Cross says its blood supply remains at dangerously low levels and it needs blood donors.
The Red Cross says it received more donations after issuing its first-ever blood crisis alert, but it needs more people to give in the weeks ahead to recover from the worst blood shortage in more than a decade.
Severe winter weather is making rebuilding the blood supply even more difficult. Hundreds of blood drives have been canceled across the country due to winter storms this month, forcing about 6,500 blood donations to go uncollected.
If you’d like to donate, you can make an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
To donate blood, you must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health. High school students and other donors 18 and younger must also meet certain height and weight requirements.
Anyone who gives blood between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card via email.
