Red Cross appeals for donors after storms cancel blood drives

The American Red Cross is making another appeal for blood donors after recent winter storms canceled hundreds of blood drives across the country.

The Carolinas Red Cross Blood Services Region estimates that nearly 50 of its blood drives were canceled in the past week. It estimates that it would have collected more than 2,300 blood and platelet donations during that time.

The agency said it typically sees a drop in donations during the holidays, so the winter storm cancellations are “further depleting an already low winter supply.”

A blood drive is set for 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the UNC Charlotte Barnhardt Student Activity Center, 9201 University City Boulevard. Organizers hope to collect more than 1,000 pints of blood, the Red Cross said.

To find other blood drives, visit redcrossblood.org.

Staff reports

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 3:43 PM with the headline "Red Cross appeals for donors after storms cancel blood drives."