Winter storms exacerbate blood shortage in New England

The American Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors in the Northeast region to give blood or platelets after recent winter stores magnified an already severe blood shortage, reports NH1.

Twelve blood drives were cancelled in New Hampshire this past week due to snow and icy roads. The cancellations left 355 donations to go uncollected.

Since the start of 2017, more than 300 blood drives have been cancelled in 30 states from severe weather, causing more than 12,000 uncollected donations, according to the report.

"The need for blood doesn't pause for severe weather — it's constant," Mary Brant, external communications manager of the local Red Cross Blood Services Region, told NH1. "Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in. Eligible donors of all blood types are critically needed."

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