An Urgent Appeal for Blood Donors

An urgent plea today by Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, the Red Cross, and officials from the Connecticut Hospital Association urged residents to donate blood to address a severe shortage.

“We’re asking folks to step out of their comfort zone a little bit, get out of their warm house, roll up their sleeve with us, and help save lives,” said Richard Branigan, the American Red Cross CEO in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

“I know this about the people of Connecticut,” said Ms. Bysiewicz. “When our neighbors need us — and indeed our neighbors across the state need us today — people step up to help their communities.”

Online at redcrossblood.org, you can type in your zip code, find a place nearby to donate blood, and make an appointment. You can also call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Missed opportunities

Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said the past month alone has seen a 35 percent drawdown in the Red Cross blood supply. She said thousands of donations have been missed and more than 400 blood drives canceled due to winter storms and “the worst flu season our state has had in two decades.”

“That means providers are being forced to triage critical blood products, which affects routine surgeries, more complex procedures, care for trauma patients, moms and children,” said Ms. Bysiewicz.

“Blood has a shelf life, so it’s important that we renew this resource continuously,” said Dr. Fay West, Connecticut’s Red Cross medical director. “We’re always on appeal, but this is a really serious time right now.”