Red Cross Issues Urgent Warning For Minnesota

While there's always a need for blood donations, the Minnesota and Dakotas Region of the American Red Cross has just issued an urgent plea.

If you haven't donated blood in a while, now might be a good time to roll up your sleeves and help save a life here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The Minnesota and Dakota Region of the American Red Cross just issued a warning saying blood supplies are critically low right now.

The release said the Red Cross critically needs blood and platelet donors now following and has noted a concerning trend over the past month – fewer donors rolling up a sleeve to give lifesaving blood.

In fact, the release said, about 20,000 fewer blood donations were collected over the past month than is needed to maintain the Red Cross blood supply, both here in Minnesota and across the country.

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The Red Cross said this drop off in donors could be a result of more Minnesotans heading out of town during May, and noted that the TSA screened a record number of travelers during the Friday before Memorial Day.

But as more and more of us travel this time of year, the need for blood also increases. The release noted that the period between Memorial and Labor Days is also known as '100 deadliest days' for auto accidents. It is the time when critical hospitals have lifesaving blood products on hand for trauma and accident victims.

Luckily, YOU and I can help-- and it's easy to do. Check it out the following ways you can make an appointment to donate blood:

HOW TO DONATE BLOOD

• Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App
• Visit RedCrossBlood.org
• Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
• Enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device

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If you happen to be in southeast Minnesota, you can also make an appointment to donate blood through Mayo Clinic's Blood Donor Program. Mayo's program says 'all blood product collected is used for Mayo Clinic patients and the surrounding community.' There are two different donation sites, both on Mayo's campus in Rochester.

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