Red Cross Faces Blood Supply Crisis
/The American Red Cross is in desperate need of blood donors of all types to combat the lowest blood supply level they have seen in more than five years.
A sharp drop in donor turnout has resulted in the lowest post-summer blood inventory in years. The Red Cross says all blood types are needed in this emergency, but especially donors with Type O blood are urged to make an appointment to make a donation.
The national Red Cross blood inventory is the lowest it’s been at this time of year since 2015, with less than a day’s supply of certain blood types in recent weeks. The supply of types O positive and O negative blood, the most needed blood types by hospitals, dropped to less than a half-day supply at times over the last month.
The Red Cross adds those who come to give through September 30 will receive a limited-edition, football-inspired Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last, plus a free haircut coupon by email from Sport Clips Haircuts.
Those who come to donate in October will receive a link by email to claim a free Zaxby’s Signature Sandwich reward or get a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.
The First United Methodist Church of Kearney is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, October 7 from noon to 5:30 pm. You can make an appointment for this event and others in the Kearney area by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story