The American Red Cross is running short on blood supply and planning more blood drives in March in anticipation of more blood donations.
March is Red Cross Month and donors are encouraged to come forward and make blood donations to reduce the shortfall.
The American Red Cross reveals the severe winter weather in parts of the U.S., along with the widespread flu, has affected blood donations since the beginning of 2015. The organization reveals more than 9,700 scheduled donations have already been cancelled in February.
"All blood types are needed, especially types O negative, A negative and B negative," per the American Red Cross.
Doctors say O negative blood type is a universal blood type, which can be transfused to anyone who is in need of blood. O negative blood type is the one which is preferred by doctors in an emergency when there is no time for matching a patient's blood type.
The humanitarian organization reveals someone needs blood every two seconds in the U.S. and over 41,000 blood donations are required each day. Even though about 38 percent of Americans are eligible to make a blood donation, less than 10 percent actually make a donation.
The Red Cross states blood donation is simple as well as safe. The organization is calling for people over age 17 years and who weigh at least 110 pounds, or 49.89 kilograms, to come forward and make a blood donation.
Around 80 percent of all blood donations are collected by the American Red Cross at mobile blood drives, which are set up at high schools, community organizations, colleges, companies and even places of worship. The balance of the donations is collected from fixed donor centers across the country.
The American Red Cross has already released a list of blood drives in various regions of the country for the month of February. Check out the American Red Cross website to get more information on blood donation and find a blood drive nearest to you.
