Hurricane Sandy Leaves The East Coast In A Blood Shortfall

Hurricane Sandy continues to bear down on the East Coast of the United States and has now forced the cancellation of approximately 300 Red Cross blood drives resulting in a shortfall of nearly 9,000 units of blood and platelets. That number is expected to grow as Sandy is causing power outages and flooding in many areas along the East Coast.

The Red Cross shipped blood products into the affected areas ahead of the storm and now urges eligible donors in unaffected areas, like ours, to roll up their sleeves and give blood or platelets> to replenish supplies. Just as Red Cross disaster workers from across the country have mobilized to help, blood donated through the Red Cross can help patients locally as well as patients in areas affected by Sandy.

Make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

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. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

Upcoming Blood Drives

Lincoln County:

Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte,Neb.

Nov. 2 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at Community Building, 121 N. Main in Brady, Neb.

Nov. 2 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte,Neb.

Nov. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at North Platte Community College Tech Campus, 1101 Halligan Drive in North Platte, Neb.

Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte,Neb.

Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte,Neb.

Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte,Neb.

Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood in North Platte,Neb.