Manage Delivery
The nation’s blood supply is dipping low. Blame Hurricane Sandy.
Nearly 300 blood drives sponsored by the American Red Cross in 14 states affected by the hurricane have been canceled, which is causing a shortfall.
“We are not saying the word ‘critical,’ and we are going on appeal now but we hope it doesn’t get to that point,” said Jennifer Keller, spokeswoman with the American Red Cross Central Plains Blood Services Region. “We are letting people know this is the situation – that blood drives are canceling and that it falls to the rest of us to help out.”
In addition to the canceled East Coast blood drives, Keller said Tuesday that the number of people donating blood locally in recent weeks has tapered off.
“Lately the blood drives here have not been making goal,” Keller said. “I don’t know if it is because people are getting busy, but we are puzzled.”
A blood donation takes about an hour, she said. The Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N. Main, is extending its hours through Nov. 8 in hopes of getting more donations.
All types of blood are needed but those in special demand include O positive, O negative and B negative blood.
