GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — The American Red Cross is seeing the lowest number of people giving blood in the past 20 years. The organization is calling it an "emergency blood shortage" across the nation.
Since the holidays, the American Red Cross has a shortfall of nearly 7,000 units of blood.
"So, every day, we need to collect 12,500 units to be able to maintain a stable blood supply across the U.S.," said Tony Gerheiser, the executive director of West Michigan chapter of the American Red Cross.
As a result, some surgeries or medical procedures could be delayed due to the blood shortage. The Red Cross is limiting distributions of type O blood to hospitals because of the shortage.
You can find a blood drive near you by visiting this website.
"Making sure that you can have a passionate community and having an understanding it [blood] is there for you if you may need it, or your family," said Gerheiser. "That's what we're doing. We're paying it forward. So that way, when someone needs it, or when we need it, it's there."
The American Red Cross is also running a promotion with the NFL to get more people to donate. People who donate in the month of January are entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
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