American Red Cross Blood Services Supports The Blood Needs Of Southern California

The American Red Cross
Blood Services national system continues to aid southern California with
shipments of blood products into the area from across the United States to
help stabilize the local blood supply. Blood drives in southern California
have been curtailed due to the wildfire situation, and as a result,
donations from residents in the area are limited.


The American Red Cross nationally has provided nearly 2,000 blood
products to date to support the efforts of the Southern California Blood
Region. Patients suffering from burns often need transfusions of plasma and
platelets and the American Red Cross, along with other blood collection
agencies, are providing for this need. In addition, shipments of red cells
are being sent to the area to help meet the ongoing needs of patients at
local hospitals and transfusion centers until the wildfire situation is
resolved.




At this time, the American Red Cross is able to meet the requirements
of its Southern California Region. However, there may be an increase in
demand for blood over the next few weeks as area hospitals that cancelled
elective surgeries due to the fires reschedule these procedures. In order
to help keep the southern California blood supply at an adequate level, and
to ensure your local community blood supply is stable, it is important for
eligible donors to make appointments to donate blood over the next several
weeks.


American Red Cross

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