Urgent Need for Blood Donations

Due to a decrease in donor turnout and lower collections as Summer season starts, the American Red Cross (ARC) has inventory shortages. The Red Cross is currently triaging product orders for immediate patient use only and anticipate that shortages will continue through the July 4th holiday.

According to the American Red Cross website, “Blood donations through the American Red Cross are down in the first five months of 2012 compared to the same period last year. And, there is only about half the amount of readily available blood in the Red Cross inventory at this time. Donations of blood types O positive, O negative, A negative and B negative are urgently needed.”

There is an emergent need for blood donations in the High Country, North Carolina and across the nation. Please support local blood drives and encourage your family and friends to “Give the Gift of Life” by donating blood to the American Red Cross.

For more information, contact the Watauga County American Red Cross at (828) 264-8226, click here to make a blood donation appointment or visit www.redcrossblood.org.