Shutdown Causes Shortage Of Blood Donations In DC
Cancellation of blood drives because of the government shutdown is causing shortages in donations, and urgent calls for blood donors. Hospitals are being forced to selectively administer blood to patients.
The Red Cross told ThinkProgress that about three percent of all their donations come from drives sponsored by military and government agencies. This October specifically, approximately 260 Red Cross blood drives are scheduled at military and government offices, and more than 9,000 donors are signed up for those events. Now, the organization may need to make other plans. “All eligible blood donors, including those who typically give at a federal government facility, are encouraged to make an appointment at another Red Cross location in their area,” a Red Cross spokesperson noted.
