Red Cross partners with the University of Arkansas to combat national blood shortage

The American Red Cross is facing a nationwide blood shortage. The organization was short more than 30,000 units of blood for the month of August. To combat the national blood shortage, the Red Cross is teaming up with the University of Arkansas for a fall blood drive. The organizations are urging anyone who can, to come out and donate blood. According to the reasonable communications manager for the NWA Red Cross, John Brimley, said blood shortages are common during the summer months. However, recent natural disasters have also increased the need for blood donations. “People that naturally would have appointments during those times were not able to keep those appointments due to the inclement weather,” said Brimley. “They were preparing, you know, taking shelter and what not. There were a lot of cancellations as a result.”Brimley said events like the fall blood drive, help to save lives. The Red Cross is calling for donors of all blood types, but they are in urgent need of type-O blood. “It’s really a universal blood type. You talk about trauma patients, cancer patients, sickle cell patients, all of those individuals need blood on a regular basis. Right now we’re just in a tough situation where we’re dealing with this national blood shortage.”The fall blood drive will be held in the Arkansas Union from 10 a..m. to 5 p.m. The Northwest Arkansas Community is invited to attend.