Due to Hurricane Irene, word has hit that an urgent blood supply shortage is now officially rampant on the East Coast. The Red Cross is asking Bay Area residents to donate as soon as possible. Eastern power outages and floodings have caused 72 blood drives to shut down; the Red Cross is in a desperate need for blood platelets, as cancer patients are currently in need of transfusions.
Jeff Meyer, CEO of the Red Cross’ Northern California Blood Services Region, hopes that “Since the Bay Area is no stranger to Natural Disaster, we expect strong local response to Hurricane Irene.”
Bay Area residents can make an appointment to give blood: 1-800-733-2767; or platelets: 1-888-881-0988.
