'Dire situation': American Red Cross declares first-ever national blood crisis
CHICAGO - The American Red Cross is sounding an alarm about a dangerously low blood supply across the country made worse by the pandemic.
The Red Cross declared its first-ever blood emergency as the national supply nears record lows.
Holly Baker of the Red Cross said the situation is so dire "doctors are having to make tough decisions about who gets blood and who has to wait."
DOWNLOAD THE FOX 32 CHICAGO APP FOR BREAKING NEWS ALERTS
In some cases, they have had less than a one-day supply of critical blood types, especially Type O.
The pandemic is partly to blame for what the Red Cross says is a 10% overall decline in the number of people donating blood.
Additionally, blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations are contributing to the crisis.
"Winter weather across the country and the recent surge of COVID-19 cases are compounding the already-dire situation facing the blood supply," said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross.
Lasky is asking anyone who is eligible to give blood and platelet donations as soon as possible.
Baker said the Red Cross donation centers follow "the highest standards of safety and infection control."
January is National Blood Donor Month and as an added incentive, those who give blood are automatically entered into a contest to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.
SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATE FROM FOX 32 NEWS
Anyone who donates will also be automatically entered to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card.
You can schedule an appointment by contacting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-Red-Cross.