Red Cross asks Middle Georgia donors to respond to blood shortage

The American Red Cross is declaring an emergency blood shortage, as the supply fell nearly 25% in June.  

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The American Red Cross is asking for blood donations after its supply fell nearly 25% in June, leading to the organization declaring an emergency shortage.

American Red Cross communications manager Suzanne Lawler says summers are the hardest times for donations.

“A lot of people are at barbecues,” she said. “My kids are at summer camp, your kids are at camp, family vacations. But we’re also in the deadliest days of summer; these are the three months of the deadliest days. We’re right here on I-75, one trauma patient may need 100 units of blood, and that’s 100 people stepping forward to help that person.”

Lawler says the organization is asking people to donate so patients can receive lifesaving medical care without delay.

“The emergency blood shortage is throughout the country,” she said. “And you have to think: you are helping cancer patients. You are helping people with sickle cell disease and trauma patients. We have blood drives in this office every week, and I talk to people, and say, ‘What brings you in today?’ And they will tell me, ‘I didn’t know my family was going to need blood.’ These are real needs. And when we say you are helping to save a life, you are helping to impact a life.”

Lawler is encouraging everyone to download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App.

“You can answer a lot of those questions on the blood donor app and save yourself some minutes off that hour-long donation time,” she said. “And what’s fantastic about the app is you can track your blood journey so you will see where your blood goes. We need you. Make an appointment now at redcrossblood.org. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS, and make an appointment now, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor app. It’s absolutely free wherever you get your apps.”

Lawler says the American Red Cross will host a blood drive Friday, July 17. The blood drive will take place at 6080 Lakeside Commons Drive starting at 10 a.m. You can download the American Red Cross app to see all future blood drives.

Between now and July 31, the American Red Cross is giving donors a free Fandango movie ticket as a thank-you for helping save a life.