For the second time ever, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood supply crisis.
Donations fell to a four-year summer low this year, causing the already low blood supply levels to dip even further.
In fact, the Red Cross now has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood, the most commonly transfused blood type.
Despite thousands of people answering the call to give, blood donations are not keeping pace with hospital demand.
The Red Cross pointed to extreme heat, poor air quality, and widespread foodborne illnesses as contributing factors in the lower donor turnout.
There are several Red Cross blood drives scheduled in the Lakeshore area over the coming months.
A blood drive will be held at the Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall, located at 1104 Wisconsin Avenue, tomorrow (August 7th) from 10:00 to 3:00 p.m., while the Elks Lodge in Manitowoc has one planned for August 28th, the Manitowoc/Two Rivers YMCA will be hosting another on September 2nd, and Grace Lutheran Church will take blood donations on September 17th.
The details on those and other upcoming donation opportunities can be found at RedCrossBlood.org, where you can also set up an appointment to give blood outside of these blood drives.
