The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors throughout Maine to give blood or platelets following recent winter storms, which have compounded a severe winter blood shortage.

American Red Cross of Maine/Facebook
American Red Cross of Maine/Facebook
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Snow and icy roads forced 13 blood drives to cancel in Maine over the past week, causing about 343 donations to go uncollected. Since the beginning of the year, severe weather forced the cancellation of more than 300 blood drives in 30 states, resulting in over 12,000 uncollected donations.

 

Eligible donors can find a blood donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites for more donors to give blood or platelets.

Overall, the Red Cross has added nearly 200 hours to blood donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help speed up the donation process.

 

There will be a blood drive in Fort Kent on Wednesday, February 15 from 1 - 6 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus on the Frenchville Road and on Monday, February 27 in Van Buren from 12:30-5:30 p.m.at the Knights of Columbus on Main Street.

 

For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

This information was submitted to us as part of a press release. If you would like to share your community news or event with our audience, please email newspi@townsquaremedia.com.

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