Pledge to Do Your Part: Give Blood for Hurricane Sandy Relief

Nearly 100 Red Cross blood drives have already been cancelled due to the storm, and this will only increase as the week goes on. These cancellations represent a loss of as many as 3,200 blood and platelet products. We're asking people who are eligible to give blood, especially in places not affected by the storm, to schedule a blood donation now.

"Patients will still need blood despite the weather," said Dr. Richard Benjamin, our chief medical officer. "To ensure a sufficient national blood supply is available for those in need, both during and after the storm passes, it is critical that those in unaffected areas make an appointment to donate blood as soon as possible."

To schedule a donation time or get more information about giving blood, people can visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To give blood, you must be at least 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements and be in general good health. Donors should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID with them. Some states allow 16-year-olds to give with parental consent.

Thank you so much for helping in this time of need! For more information on our work, go to http://www.causes.com/redcross