Donors urged to make an appointment to give blood and platelets amid growing flu, winter weather impact
The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage as hospital requests continue to outpace available supplies, resulting in an approximately 35% drawdown of blood products over the past month. The organization reports that the shortage is particularly critical for platelets and for blood types O, A negative, and B negative. Donors are being urged to give as soon as possible to help prevent delays in lifesaving medical care.High flu activity in nearly every state is believed to be sidelining many potential donors, slowing efforts to rebuild the national blood supply. At the same time, hospitals already strained by what is shaping up to be the worst flu season in nearly t
