The American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region has issued a plea for donations of blood and platelets.
Recent bad weather forced the closing of donation centers and canceled blood drives, which means that an expected 2,600 units of blood and platelets did not get collected.
"That is a very significant decline in donations, especially over such a short period of time," said April Phillips, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region.
People are encouraged to donate as soon as possible. There is a particular need for people with Type O and Type B blood. O-negative is the universal blood type that can go to any patient regardless of their blood type.
The American Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region will offer extended hours this weekend at all of its blood donation centers across the state. To find a location call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org.
The shortage has hit others as well.
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, which serves Georgia, Alabama and Florida, also needs donations.
The organization opened its Dunwoody Center, 4891 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, on Wednesday after being closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Centers in McDonough and Gainesvilles were also closed.
To find times and locations go to www.lifesouth.org.
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