DEDHAM, Ma. (Feb. 14, 2017) — The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors throughout Massachusetts to give blood or platelets following recent winter storms, which have compounded a severe winter blood shortage.

Snow and icy roads forced more than 30 blood drives to cancel in the Massachusetts and Connecticut Blood Services Region over the last week, causing more than 1,100 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.

“The need for blood doesn’t pause for severe weather – it’s constant,” said Alyson Barraza, communications manager of the Massachusetts and Connecticut Red Cross Blood Services Region. “Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in. Eligible donors of all blood types are critically needed.”

How to Help: 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.