Winter storms forced cancelation of more than 530 American Red Cross blood drives in January, causing the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years. February brought more storms to the Western U.S. with heavy rain making for dangerous driving conditions, which can lead to a greater need for blood. L.A. Care Health Plan wants to help the Red Cross boost donations, so it is hosting a Blood Drive tomorrow, February 13. This is the first of several blood drives L.A. Care will host this year.
The Red Cross says an additional 8,000 blood donations each week are needed over the next few weeks to recover and ensure there is enough blood and platelets for lifesaving medical procedures. All blood types are needed. However, type O, the universal blood type, is urgently needed for emergency rooms treating the most serious, life-threatening conditions leaving no time to determine a patient’s blood type.
L.A. Care welcomes all who are eligible to donate to sign up. The health plan expects up to 35 donors at this drive.
The American Red Cross will be at:
L.A. Care Health Plan
1055 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, Room 202
Tuesday, February 13
9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Media welcome 9:30 am – Noon
All those who donate in February will get a $20 Amazon Gift Card via email. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Heart.
Sign up to donate here.