Just when it appeared the Red Cross had survived a critical shortage of blood that developed this past summer, not one, but two hurricanes slammed into the Southeastern United States.

That's prompted the Red Cross to declare a "blood emergency", asking residents here in Montana and in other states to jump in to help as blood supplies and donations plummet after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

You're going to have a lot of chances to help, with dozens of blood donation opportunities being held across the area between now and the end of the month.

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What happened to Red Cross blood supplies this year?

There's also a shortage of blood during the summer months, usually driven by the combination of more people on vacation and away from their routine of donating blood, and the unfortunate demand for blood because of seasonal accidents.

2024 was especially demanding but had been improving.

"We have built our blood supply back up from the summer but now we're really feeling the effects of hurricane Helene and of course now we have hurricane Milton," observes Red Cross Regional Communications Director Matt Ochsner. "Thousands of uncollected blood units because of Red Cross blood drives that have been canceled because of those hurricanes."

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Need across all blood types

Not only is more blood needed after natural disasters, but this time of the year, people begin scheduling surgeries, which sometimes necessitate the unexpected need for blood.

Ochsner says that's all types of blood.

"We have a need for all blood types, but type O blood, especially O positive blood, is the most transfused blood, the most common blood/ And O negative blood. That is the universal donor." 

Dozens of chances to help

Between now and the end of October, the Red Cross is partnering with a host of organizations, from schools and churches to civic and community clubs, scheduling dozens of blood donation opportunities.

You can find locations at RedCrossBlood.org. And if you would like to organize a local blood drive, Oschner says additional help is always welcome by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

If you donate blood, or plasma, by the end of the month you'll receive a $10 Amazon gift card, and be entered to win one of three, $5000 gift cards as an added incentive.

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