Red Cross urges public to donate blood after canceled blood drives

(KBSI) – The Red Cross urges the public to donate blood.

There were a record-breaking 543 canceled blood drives nationwide in January due to inclement weather.

Officials say around 30,000 units of blood are needed by people every day.

They say a single car crash victim could need as much as 100 units of blood.

“This year we’re kind of in a particularly difficult spot. We’ve seen a, a significant drop in donations to the point that we’re 15,000 short nationwide. So that has an impact on our supply to local hospitals,” said Jeremiah Lefranca, American Red Cross director.

The Red Cross is offering people $20 Amazon gift cards for donating this month.