Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage, with a 25% drop in supply prompting urgent calls for donations. “We saw over 100 blood drives canceled due to extreme heat,” explained Jonathan McNamara, spokesperson for the American Red Cross in Virginia, during a recent interview with Courtney Stuart. This shortage is exacerbated by the ongoing hurricane season, with volunteers stretched thin as they respond to both local and out-of-state emergencies. 

McNamara emphasized the importance of donations, particularly of Type O blood, which is critical in trauma situations. He also highlighted a partnership with Amazon offering $20 gift cards to encourage donations, “It is a really powerful way we can say thank you to our existing donors, but it is also the type of thing that can encourage someone to donate blood for the first time.” 

The Red Cross continues to remind the public that every donation can save a life, making community involvement more crucial than ever. You can get more information from the Red Cross Website, or listen to the full conversation here: