WINCHESTER, VA - When Hurricane Sandy arrived, it not only caused damage but it cancelled numerous blood donations and now, there is a shortage of blood, raising concerns.
The American Red Cross has been busy preparing for Sandy before it came and this time, they are busy doing something else.
"We're short on blood because people weren't able to give, the need continues, hurricane-related, non-hurricane related, non-disaster related, the need continues," says Chris Scott, Executive Director of The Top Virginia Chapter of The American Red Cross.
They have been urging residents to give blood to make up for the days that have been lost.
Since platelets can only be left on the shelf for five days, fresh blood is constantly needed.
"Nationally and even in the East Coast, we've cancelled a good number of blood drives because obviously people can't get out of or things can't happen where disaster strikes so we've had to cancel a good number of blood drives," adds Scott.
Several hundred units of blood have been lost and while many have already been shipped to hospitals in affected areas, more is still needed.
"We've been trying to encourage people to come into the blood drives, here in our location or the mobile blood drives that are out there so we can replenish the supplies, we've gotten very low," adds Scott.
Local residents took an hour out of their day to do this good deed and they said help should always be given whether there is a disaster or not.
"Everybody should try to give blood because they fight to keep up with the blood supply and there's no reason there shouldn't be no blood. It's easy, it takes an hour," says James Ramsay, a Winchester blood donor.
"You know, it's always a good thing to help out. You should help out whether there is a storm or there isn't. People are always in need. There can always be something that can be done and just go out and take action and do it," says Cacey Zaragoza, also a Winchester blood donor.
While Sandy continues to affect the number of people available to donate, hospital patients still need blood despite the conditions.
In order to give blood, you must be 17-years old, meet height and weight requirements, and be in general good health. Donors must bring their blood donor card or a form of identification.
The American Red Cross has been busy preparing for Sandy before it came and this time, they are busy doing something else.
"We're short on blood because people weren't able to give, the need continues, hurricane-related, non-hurricane related, non-disaster related, the need continues," says Chris Scott, Executive Director of The Top Virginia Chapter of The American Red Cross.
They have been urging residents to give blood to make up for the days that have been lost.
Since platelets can only be left on the shelf for five days, fresh blood is constantly needed.
"Nationally and even in the East Coast, we've cancelled a good number of blood drives because obviously people can't get out of or things can't happen where disaster strikes so we've had to cancel a good number of blood drives," adds Scott.
Several hundred units of blood have been lost and while many have already been shipped to hospitals in affected areas, more is still needed.
"We've been trying to encourage people to come into the blood drives, here in our location or the mobile blood drives that are out there so we can replenish the supplies, we've gotten very low," adds Scott.
Local residents took an hour out of their day to do this good deed and they said help should always be given whether there is a disaster or not.
"Everybody should try to give blood because they fight to keep up with the blood supply and there's no reason there shouldn't be no blood. It's easy, it takes an hour," says James Ramsay, a Winchester blood donor.
"You know, it's always a good thing to help out. You should help out whether there is a storm or there isn't. People are always in need. There can always be something that can be done and just go out and take action and do it," says Cacey Zaragoza, also a Winchester blood donor.
While Sandy continues to affect the number of people available to donate, hospital patients still need blood despite the conditions.
In order to give blood, you must be 17-years old, meet height and weight requirements, and be in general good health. Donors must bring their blood donor card or a form of identification.
