Weather Contributes to Lowest Number of Blood Donations in 20 Years

news image
Special Stories
28 Jan 2024 10:55 AM

The start of January brought an arctic blast to the entire country with temperatures plummeting well below zero. The cold and winter storms caused the cancelation of many activities across states, including the Red Cross Blood Drives. Over 50 blood drives in Oregon alone were canceled during the ice and winter storms! But numerous states had 5-10 cancellations of blood drives since the beginning of January.

The American Red Cross is facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years and is in a critical shortage. Now, according to the Red Cross, "[an] additional 8,000 blood donations each week over the next few weeks to recover from the current blood shortage." The Red Cross says that "even small disruptions to blood donations – like the recent winter storms – can have a huge effect on the availability of blood products."

If you are eligible to donate, you can make an appointment on RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross says that, "Donors in areas unaffected by severe weather are vital to ensuring those in need of transfusions have access to lifesaving care across the Red Cross network."

All blood types are needed but especially Type O which is needed for critical blood transfusions.

All Weather News
More
October Nor'easter Wrapping Up For the Atlantic

October Nor'easter Wrapping Up For the Atlantic

A low-pressure system that has tracked up the

14 Oct 2025 2:20 AM
California: Flooding Rain, Heavy Snow, & Isolated Tornadoes

California: Flooding Rain, Heavy Snow, & Isolated Tornadoes

It's been months since meaningful snow fell o

14 Oct 2025 2:20 AM
Flood and Severe Threat for the Southwest

Flood and Severe Threat for the Southwest

Flash flooding will continue to be possible i

14 Oct 2025 2:10 AM
Tropical Storm Lorenzo Forms in the Atlantic

Tropical Storm Lorenzo Forms in the Atlantic

The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season has thus f

14 Oct 2025 2:05 AM
Another Round of Snow for the Rockies

Another Round of Snow for the Rockies

NORTHWEST - After winter weather alerts were

14 Oct 2025 1:35 AM
La Niña Advisory Issued, Potential Impacts to Winter Precip & Springtime Tornadoes

La Niña Advisory Issued, Potential Impacts to Winter Precip & Springtime Tornadoes

La Niña was observed in September, leading to

12 Oct 2025 8:00 AM
Upgraded North Dakota Tornado Ends EF-5 Drought

Upgraded North Dakota Tornado Ends EF-5 Drought

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks,

12 Oct 2025 7:30 AM