LOS ANGELES : Blood Supply Dangerously Low, Red Cross Reports

The amount of blood available at American Red Cross facilities remains dangerously low, despite a good donor turnout during the Thanksgiving holiday, a Red Cross official said Wednesday.

“With the special efforts of blood donors during Thanksgiving week, Red Cross was able to collect 4,620 units of blood,” said Daniel Connor, principal officer of the local Red Cross Blood Services.

That marked 106% of the agency’s goal for that period and “enabled us to provide a good supply to hospitals,” Connor said, “but it was not enough for Red Cross to continue resupplying hospitals at adequate levels.”

This year has been a tough one for blood collections, he said. The situation is not expected to get better soon because the number of year-end donations traditionally drops compared to the first 10 months.

Recent donors will not be able to give again for 56 days, Connor said. “But there are thousands of others who will be able to donate, and we will need every one of them,” he said. Donors must be 17 or older, healthy and not at risk for HIV or AIDS, Connor said. Appointments to donate can be made by calling (800) GIVE-LIFE.