The American Red Cross says it is facing an emergency blood shortage both regionally in the northwest and nationwide.
Christine Welch, communications manager with the American Red Cross, said it’s not out of the ordinary for blood banks to run low in the summertime.
“Our blood supply levels are down to a two- to three-day supply and this is due to the summer months,” Welch said. “The summer months are a challenging time to collect blood.”
That’s because regular donors tend to go on vacation, she said. Also, there are a lack of other regular donation sites like universities or high schools.
Welch said a blood shortage can result in hospitals having to postpone certain surgeries, but the Red Cross is hoping to avoid that by increasing the supply.
“We’re asking the community to take about an hour out of their day to donate blood and help replenish the blood supply to make sure that hospital patients have the blood,” she said.
People can donate by finding the nearest Red Cross donation center.
