Due to the coronavirus thousands of blood drives have been cancelled. The American Red Cross is currently facing a severe blood shortage as a result. I have a friend who is college aged, immunocompromised, and reliant on blood transfusions every couple weeks. She is urging everyone who can to donate. Places that normally conduct blood drives like schools have been forced to close. While many people would like to donate, it is difficult to find places where they are able to do so.

Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-733-2767

Several churches are Bedford PA are risking the coronavirus to make sure that this at risk population is able to continue their transfusion treatments. The Bedford Christian and Missionary Alliance, and A Seventh-day Adventist Church.

As of today, nearly 2,700 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to concerns about congregating in workplaces, college campuses and schools amid the coronavirus outbreak. As a result of these cancelled blood drives, there have been 86,000 fewer blood donations. More than 80% of the blood the Red Cross collects comes from drives held at locations like these.

The Red Cross expects the number of cancellations to continue to increase, which is causing heightened concern for blood collection organizations and hospitals across the country. This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients suffering from cancer