Since 1881, the American Red Cross has been helping people countrywide, including in Tidewater.
Now more than 130 years later, the organization is looking for people to donate “life-saving” blood and platelets to help their fellow Americans.
March is national Red Cross month, and the storms that marked the start of the year have led to fewer blood and platelet donations than were necessary.
Cold weather and “widespread” flu have also driven down participation at the drives, according to the Red Cross.
In January, the Red Cross said it had distributed more blood and platelets than what had been donated.
More than 16,500 blood and platelet donations went uncollected just in January in the Virginia and North Carolina region.
There are dozens of blood drives around Hampton Roads in this national Red Cross month. To find one near you, go to the Red Cross blood donation website.
