(WWJ) -- The American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood.
The non-profit says there's an emergency blood shortage, as the blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. There's been a steep decline in donations since May. They say blood donors are urgently needed especially those with types O positive and B negative blood. The Red Cross says distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected.
“A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross. “Emergency departments, operating rooms, and labor and delivery units can't support patients with the most urgent needs, and cancer patients must wait. We’re asking donors to give now before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions.”
Leaders say you can help end the blood shortage is to book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
All who give between July 13th and 31st, will get a Fandango Movie Ticket by email.
