With Blood Supplies At 15-Year Low, American Red Cross Appeals For Donors
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's been a bad summer for blood donations and the Red Cross is looking for help.
Blood supplies are at a 15-year low, according to the Red Cross.
The summer is typically a slow period for blood donations because high schools and colleges, which regularly hold blood drives, are on break.
WCBS 880's Jim Smith reports
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The nation's blood supply dropped to critical levels earlier this summer as storms and wildfires hampered collection efforts, the Red Cross' Diane Concannon said.
The Red Cross sent out an urgent appeal nationwide and donations picked up in July.
"Since then we've seen nearly 15,000 donations given above what was expected," Concannon said.
Despite the effort, the shortage continues.
The Red Cross needs 17,000 blood donations each day to maintain an adequate supply of blood across the nation.
To get back on track, Concannon said they need three extra donors at every event.
"Let's hope that people roll up their sleeves," Concannon said.
A blood drive will be held Thursday at Grand Central Terminal from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Another blood drive will be held on August 25 at MetLife Stadium in partnership with the New York Giants.
