Red Cross still has urgent need for platelets, specific blood types

While thousands of people answered the emergency call for blood and platelet donations issued by the American Red Cross earlier in July, an urgent need remains for platelet donors, as well as donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood.

Right now, blood products are being distributed to area hospitals almost as quickly as they come in. However, patients are unable to take a summer break from needing lifesaving transfusions.

To continue to meet the needs of patients at more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusions centers throughout the country, the Red Cross relies on the generous support of eligible blood and platelet donors now.

Please help patients in need through the challenges of summer by making an appointment and rolling up a sleeve to help save lives through the Red Cross. For more information or to find a nearby blood drive, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.