After January’s winter weather and a “critical” call for donations, the American Red Cross is hosting more blood drives in Greater Williamsburg and Hampton Roads.
“Blood and platelet donations are needed in the coming days to help replenish the blood supply and ensure patients continue to receive life saving treatments,” Red Cross spokeswoman Bernadette Jay wrote in a news release. “Donors can help even more patients when they invite a loved one, friend or co-worker to give with them.”
In January, the Red Cross said it had distributed more blood and platelets than what had been donated.
Hundreds of blood drives have been canceled due to the winter weather in 2018, according to the Red Cross. More than 16,500 blood and platelet donations went uncollected just in January in the Virginia and North Carolina region.
In Virginia, 41 blood drives were canceled in January, causing nearly 1,000 fewer donations.
Cold weather and “widespread” flu have also driven down participation at the drives, according to the Red Cross.
There are dozens of blood drives around Hampton Roads in this February. To find one near you, go to the Red Cross blood donation website.
