Hurricane Sandy has forced the cancellation of more than 300 American Red Cross blood drives in 14 states along the East Coast, according to a news release. The cancellations have resulted in a shortfall of more than 9,000 units of blood and platelets thus far and is expected to grow after Hurricane Sandy causes power outages and flooding.
The Red Cross is encouraging all eligible donors in unaffected parts of the country to give blood or platelets. All blood types are needed to ensure an adequate blood supply is available during a disaster, especially Type O positive, O negative, A negative or B negative blood.
