Red Cross: Blood donation still lagging behind need

The Red Cross continues to see historically low blood supplies and asks that you schedule an appointment to help in the crisis.

The American Red Cross provides 40 percent of the country’s blood. The organization warns that if more donors don’t come forward to give blood, patients requiring a transfusion could face delays in care.

The holidays, winter weather and the ongoing COVID-19 challenges are all contributing to the drop.

A local blood donation site will be set up from 1 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 29th at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Fifth Street in Columbus.

Other sites in area counties include upcoming events in Franklin, Greenwood and Trafalgar.

You can schedule an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS