The recent string of winter storms, that buried a large part of the country in ice and snow, caused more than 33,000 donations at American Red Cross blood drives to go uncollected. 

Of those donations, 1,700 were lost here in the Tennessee Valley Region since Jan. 1.
 
The Red Cross is trying to build its blood inventory back to a safe and adequate level. People who are eligible are asked to schedule an appointment to give blood to help patients in our region, as well as patients who live in areas still dealing with snow and ice.
 
The Tennessee Valley Region distributes blood to 59 hospitals in middle Tennessee, southwestern Kentucky and parts of Illinois and Missouri. Nationally, the Red Cross supplies more than 40 percent of the country’s blood, distributing blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the country.  
 
People are responding to the call for blood donors, and the Red Cross is grateful to those who are stepping up to help the blood supply return to sufficient levels.
 
“No matter what the weather, patients count on blood being there when they need it,” says Tim Ryerson, CEO, Tennessee Valley Region of the Red Cross. “We are asking people to give blood as soon as possible to build our blood inventory back to an adequate level.”
 
People can make an appointment to give blood or platelets by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting www.redcrossblood.org. 

All blood types are needed, but there is a special need for donors with O-Negative, A-Negative and B-Negative blood.
 
How to Donate Blood
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org. 

Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.