Red Cross Needs Blood Donors After Hurricane Irene

In addition to destroying millions of dollars in homes and infrastructure along the East Coast, Hurricane Irene also dealt a terrible blow to the American Red Cross' blood supply.

The storm and its aftermath has forced the cancellation of more than 60 Red Cross blood drives resulting in the shortfall of more than 2,100 units of blood.

Additional blood drives in the areas affected by the storm are expected to be postponed in the coming days due to storm damage and power outages as well.

Thus, the Red Cross is urging people in areas unaffected by the storm to donate blood and platelets as soon as possible.

The Macomb County donation center located at 13260 Eleven Mile Road in Warren is open Monday-Saturday. For more information, click here.

Also, located at 48115 Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township is holding an American Red Cross blood drive on Sept. 15 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Nationwide, around 44,000 blood donations are needed every day to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients and children with blood disorders.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets, or to host a blood drive in your community, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800- 733-2767. 
 
Be sure to bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of ID when you come to donate.