(WWJ) -- The American Red Cross has declared its very first national blood crisis as blood supplies across the country and in Michigan get dangerously low.
In a statement released Tuesday, the organization said it has less than a one day supply of critical blood types in many areas of the country -- causing them to limit their distributions to hospitals and forcing doctors to decide who gets blood and who has to wait.
Meghan Lehman of Red Cross Michigan said this is considered the worst blood shortage in more than a decade.
"Between blood drives getting cancelled and the pandemic impacting staff, it's essentially a relentless situation," said Lehman.
Lehman said now is the time for anyone who has given blood before -- or has just considered it -- to step up and donate.
All blood types are needed, but Type O is in especially high demand since it's the universal blood type needed for emergency transfusions.
Related
Within metro Detroit, there has been a huge response to the blood supply crisis.
A 12-hour blood drive, taking place until 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Costick Center along West Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills had all appointments booked.
Red Cross is hoping to get 85 pints of blood at this draw.
Related
Anyone who wants to donate can make an appointment by phone or click here to find blood drives across the metro Detroit area.
Donating takes about an hour and you'll have to be in general good health, weigh at least 115 pounds and be 17 years of age or older.
Blood drives in Detroit on Friday, Jan. 14
• Life remodeled
2470 Collingwood St.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Warren Blood Donation Center
13260 East 11 Mile Rd.
6:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Christ Episcopal Church -- Grosse Pointe
61 Grosse Pointe Blvd.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Riverview Blood Donation Center
14031 Pennsylvania Rd.
6:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Blood drives in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 15
• Warren Blood Donation Center
13260 East 11 Mile Rd.
6:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Riverview Blood Donation Center
14031 Pennsylvania Rd.
6:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Blood drives in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 16
• Warren Blood Donation Center
13260 East 11 Mile Rd.
6:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Riverview Blood Donation Center
14031 Pennsylvania Rd.
6:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.