ROANOKE, Va. – Hundreds of blood drives have been canceled but the need for blood continues. The American Red Cross says there is a severe blood shortage and donors are urgently needed.
The Junior League of Roanoke Valley had a blood drive scheduled for Saturday, March 28 at a church downtown.
That event has been canceled but they are urging people who made an appointment to keep it and go to the American Red Cross donation center instead.
The Red Cross plans to take the following steps to keep people safe:
- Taking the temperature of people before they enter the building area to donate
- A worker from the Red Cross will personally check in each donor and do a health check
The Red Cross says right now, eligible and healthy donors are strongly urged to make an appointment to provide lifesaving blood products to patients.
You can schedule a blood donation appointment and find out more here.