CHARLOTTE, N.C. — January is National Blood Donor Month, but the Red Cross says it's seeing the lowest donation numbers in decades.
Let's connect the dots.
The American Red Cross says it's facing an emergency blood shortage, with blood supplies hitting their lowest levels in 20 years. Over the last two decades, blood donations to the Red Cross have fallen 40%. The shortage was at its peak over Christmas and New Year's Day with a shortfall of nearly 7,000 units.
Blood shortages can have big impacts on life-saving medical procedures, causing dramatic effects for those who require blood transfusions.
Blood is going out faster than donations are coming in, forcing many hospitals to limit Type O distributions to keep supply. To combat the shortage, the Red Cross has partnered with the NFL. Anyone who donates blood this month will be entered to win two Super Bowl tickets.
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