Red Cross Appeals For Blood Donations

FARMINGTON (AP) — American Red Cross officials in Connecticut are urging more blood donors to step forward because of a blood shortage that is affecting hospitals in the state and across the country.

Red Cross officials say the number of blood donations this summer is the lowest they’ve seen in more than a decade, and they’re appealing to people of all blood types to donate.

Elaine St Peter of the Red Cross Connecticut Blood Services Region says the agency has already started decreasing the amount of blood it sends to hospitals in the state. She says the shortage is not affecting patient care yet, but more donations are needed quickly to prevent any problems.

The Red Cross has donation sites across the state. More information is available at www.redcrossblood.org or 800-RED-CROSS.