The American Red Cross says it’s facing a severe blood shortage, with supply down about 35 percent nationwide.
The Red Cross says requests from hospitals are now exceeding the available blood supply. It blames part of the slowdown on flu season, which may be keeping donors away, and winter weather that can make people less likely to travel to donation centers.
The Red Cross is urging healthy eligible donors to schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets using the Blood Donor App, online at RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Locally, the next blood drive in Fairfield is Wednesday, March 11th, at the Community of Christ Church at Windsor Lane and Leininger Road, running from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.