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The Red Cross says the supply of blood for medical use is dangerously low

SACHA PFEIFFER, HOST:

Across the country, the supply of blood for medical use is low, dangerously low, the American Red Cross says. In Pennsylvania, the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center said that last week, it had about three days' worth of type O blood, which is less than half of what it usually has available. And in Southern California, the San Diego blood bank serves hospitals. Communications manager Claudine Van Gonka says it's a dire situation.

CLAUDINE VAN GONKA: The problem is that individuals are canceling appointments because they're sick, or they are afraid to come out, you know, because of COVID. And blood drives - mobile blood drives are canceling left and right.

PFEIFFER: In some places, the word is out, and appointments to give blood are already full well into this week. But the Red Cross and others like Van Gonka warn that the need will continue given lower supplies.

VAN GONKA: We don't want hospitals to have to alter their treatment for their patients, and so, you know, we're really hoping that people come out so that we can supply all of these hospitals.

PFEIFFER: And a reminder - you can donate blood whether or not you're fully vaccinated.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

Sacha Pfeiffer is a correspondent for NPR's Investigations team and an occasional guest host for some of NPR's national shows.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.