Blood donor shortage: How you can help and where to donate

Blood donors are urgently needed in Massachusetts and across the country as supply is dangerously low due to the delta variant surge, according to the American Red Cross.

Blood supply is the lowest it has been since 2015, and if supply does not stabilize, hospitals could have to alter treatment for some patients or cancel some surgeries.

One blood donation can save up to three lives by helping patients of all ages who may have endured health crises such as heart surgery, organ transplant, car accident, burns and cancer.

Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood, and transfusions save 4.5 million lives a year, according to ARC.

People are typically eligible to donate blood if they are in good health, at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. There may be additional requirements should someone want to donate platelets or plasma.

There are many locations to donate blood across Massachusetts. To find a center, log on to https://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call your local hospital.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3oveV6N