Local Red Cross officials say recent hurricane emergencies in the southern U.S. and a summer-long dip in blood donations have sparked a nationwide blood shortage.
The Red Cross announced Monday it’s seen a 25 percent dip in blood donations overall. Nationwide, the agency fell short by at least 30,000 donations in August. Local Red Cross officials blame a dip in summer blood donations. The agency says the shortfall worsens because the recent Hurricane Idalia prompted local Red Crosses to cancel more than a dozen blood and blood platelet drives across the southeast U.S.
The most critical shortage is for people with Type-O blood.
Red Cross blood drives are slated this month in Janesville, Milton, Edgerton, and Beloit. People can schedule appointments to donate blood and platelets at RedCrossBlood.org
