Empty shelves at Red Cross show emergency need for donations

SPRING GARDEN (WPVI) -- The American Red Cross needs your help, to answer a dire need for blood and platelet donations.

Spokesperson Beth Toll tells me 36 blood drives had to be canceled in our region due to this weekend's blizzard.

It made the already low supply even lower, leaving some shelves empty.

Some workers there tell me this is the worst they've seen it.

Toll says there is always a need for blood donations, but it has now hit the highest level.

"Sometimes it's urgent need, sometimes it goes to critical and right now we are at emergent level. So it's very serious," says Toll.

"We've got to have people to roll up their sleeves, come in donate blood to help us get our supplies back up to a good level," she adds.

Donor Jack Newhouse says, "It's a simple thing to do and not only is it beneficial to individuals but you're directly helping patients. In 15 minutes and you've donated life!"

The Red Cross needs all types of blood, and platelets but there is a special need for types O-positive, O-negative, A-negative and B-negative.

Finding a blood drive is easy! Go to redcrossblood.org, and when the box pops up on your screen, simply put in your zip code.

That will give you a list of donation locations near you.

You can also click on "Donating Blood" at the top of the home page.