Des Moines, IA- With many Iowans caught up in enjoying the final weeks of summer, donating blood isn’t exactly a priority.
American Red Cross spokesperson Sue Thesenga tells Radio Iowa that this summertime lull is causing a critical shortfall in blood supplies and she’s putting out an appeal for donors.
“The Red Cross is asking people across the entire country to roll up a sleeve right now to help ensure people receive the care they need,” Thesenga says. “All blood types are needed right now, especially types O-positive and O-negative.”
Thesenga says there are multiple locations in Iowa where residents can donate blood, and they are easy to find.
“To make an appointment to give blood or platelets, they can use the Red Cross blood donor app right on their mobile phone,” she says, “they can visit redcrossblood.org or they can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.”
Thesenga says the need is constant, as every two seconds in the United States someone needs blood.
