Local News in Brief : Red Cross Seeks Blood Donations
Once again, American Red Cross officials in Los Angeles said Tuesday, there is a critical shortage of blood because of low donorship during the holidays.
Dr. Steven Kleinman, medical director of Red Cross Blood Services for Los Angeles and Orange counties, said that about 1,300 donors a day are needed but that only 1,233 donors have given blood during the past four days.
That, he said, left the two-county supply at 7,773 units--more than 3,800 below “the desired levels.”
The Christmas-New Year season is normally a low blood collection period, the Red Cross said. In addition, the blood supply never fully recovered from a shortage at the end of last summer.
Kleinman said the current shortage “may cause postponement of elective surgeries and some other treatments requiring blood transfusions.”
Collection days and hours have been extended at donor centers to accommodate those wishing to help, the Red Cross said.
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