The American Red Cross is calling donors of all blood types to help save lives during a critical blood shortage.
The organization announced in a news release Wednesday that it is currently facing a blood shortage and is officially issuing an emergency call for blood or platelet donations.
Over the past few months, there have been 61,000 fewer donations that what were actually needed, representatives said.
And nearly 700 fewer blood drives were held the week of Independence Day than an average week.
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“The decline in summer donations is causing a significant draw-down of our overall blood supply, and we urgently need people to give now to restock hospital shelves and help save lives,” Shaun Gilmore, president of Red Cross biomedical services, said. “Every day, patients recovering from accidents or those receiving treatments for cancer or blood disorders rely on lifesaving blood products regardless of the season.”
Here’s how and where you can donate blood or platelets to the American Red Cross in metro Atlanta:
Download and use the Red Cross Blood Donor app, call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or attend a blood drive in the area.
Midtown Blood Donation Center
1955 Monroe Drive Atlanta, GA 30324
Emory Alliance Credit Union
1237 Clairmont Avenue
Scott Candler Library
1917 Candler Road
Glenn Building Atlanta
550 Peachtree Street NE
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For more blood drives near you, visit redcrossblood.org.
