Weather events hinder blood drive efforts

MANCHESTER — The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood emergency as remnants of Hurricane Debby and other severe weather events across the country have further complicated efforts to rebuild the nation’s blood supply. Those in unaffected areas are urged to make an appointment to give now. Over the next two weeks in New Hampshire, 37 percent – or 1,245 blood donation appointments – are vacant across the state.

Weather in recent weeks has added to the summer shortfall in donations by forcing the cancellation of nearly 60 blood drives throughout the country, many of which were caused by Hurricane Debby, causing approximately 1,500 lifesaving blood products to go uncollected. Annually, severe weather − such as blizzards, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes − impacts about 90,000 blood donations to the Red Cross. In New Hampshire, 175 blood drives have been canceled due to weather over the last 10 years, including seven so far this year. This has contributed to more than 700 donations going uncollected in the Northern New England Region to date in 2024. Because blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer blood donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have serious consequences for hospitals and patients.