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Red Cross facing extreme winter shortage


Donation drives will be extending their hours over the next couple of weeks to help make donating a little easier // WSBT 22 photo
Donation drives will be extending their hours over the next couple of weeks to help make donating a little easier // WSBT 22 photo
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On Wednesday the American Red Cross issued a nationwide emergency call for blood and platelet donations. At the donation center in Goshen, they need to collect 125 platelet products a week. Over the holidays the center failed to meet this goal on a daily basis.

They say the holidays are normally a slow time for them. People are busy and often forget to donate. This year bad weather was also a factor, canceling almost a hundred blood drives across the country. The center in Goshen says they especially need platelet donations and that it can be a rewarding process.

“It’s really kind of cool because with platelets often times the Red Cross contract who it goes to, and so you’ll actually get a letter in the mail telling you who you helped. So it’s really kind of cool to give platelets.”

Platelets can only be donated at fixed sites such as the one in Goshen. Mobile sites like the ones found at churches, schools, and business only collect blood.

Donation drives will be extending their hours over the next couple of weeks to help make donating a little easier. They say making an appointment will also help speed up the process.

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