SIKESTON -- Winter storms and freezing temperatures put a halt to blood donations on multiple occasions this season. Now the American Red Cross is asking donors to help rebuild the blood supply.
"This type of year is not normal," said Dan Fox, communication programs manager for American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Chapter. "We do see a period or two of inclement weather impacting blood drives each year, but this year there seems to be round after round of inclement weather."
Severe winter weather across much of the country throughout January forced the cancellation of about 770 American Red Cross blood drives throughout the nation, resulting in more than 25,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations, according to American Red Cross.
"By comparison, the cancellation of that many blood drives is equivalent to the Red Cross shutting down blood service operations for more than a day -- which doesn't happen," Fox said.
The Red Cross needs blood and platelet donors to help restock the shelves in February. Eligible donors with all blood types are needed, especially O negative, O positive, B negative and A negative.
A blood drive is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Orscheln Farm and Home in Sikeston and also from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sikeston High School.
For the complete story, see an upcoming edition of the Standard Democrat.