The Red Cross typically sees its blood supply diminish in the summer months, but officials say the blood shortage is now critical both locally and nationally.
The Rochester chapter of the agency has less than the minimum five-day supply of blood on hand.
"The hospitals needed blood more than we expected, and then there is the seasonal effect. Our donors, like everyone, enjoy summer and they often have busy schedules and vacation plans," said Red Cross spokesperson Patty Corvaia. “In addition to that, 25 percent of our blood supply comes from people 18 to 25 years of age, and with schools being out of session we don't hold blood drives there. That has an effect on the way we collect blood."
Donors of all blood types are needed, but especially those with O negative, A negative, and B negative blood types.
You can make an appointment by visiting http://www.redcrossblood.org/ The Red Cross has four donation centers in the Rochester area.
Batavia is holding that community’s largest blood drive of the year on Thursday, August 11 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Quality Inn & Suites, 8250 Park Road.
The event features a friendly competition between New York State Troopers, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, Mercy EMS, and police and fire departments of the town and city of Batavia. The “Battle of the Badges” will determine which first responder agency can recruit the most eligible donors to donate blood on their behalf.
