![Blood Shortages Rising, Donations Severely Needed Across Country](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/09/Red-Cross.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Blood Shortages Rising, Donations Severely Needed Across Country
ST. CLOUD -- The impacts of COVID-19 are being felt throughout the community and the American Red Cross is no exception.
Spokeswoman Sue Thesenga says they have a severe blood shortage due to roughly 2,700 blood drive cancellations across the country. These cancellations have resulted in 86,000 fewer blood donations.
Thesenga says to help get donations up, they are adding appointments at donation centers and expanding capacity at many community blood drives over the next few weeks.
She says to ensure the safety of everyone, they are implementing new protocols including spacing beds, checking the temperature of staff and donors before entering the facility, and routinely wiping down donor-touched areas.
You can sign up to donated by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.
![AM 1240 WJON logo](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/11/attachment-wjonam-alexacard-big.jpg?w=100)
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Are You Type O Negative? The Mayo Clinic Wants YOU!](http://townsquare.media/site/66/files/2024/06/attachment-Roadrunner-Records-via-YouTube.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Win a Super Bowl Trip by Donating Blood](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/01/attachment-Cover-61.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Boys and Girls Clubs Offering New Reading and Math Programming](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/02/DSC05326.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Red Cross Asking for Donations Ahead of Flu and Holiday Seasons](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/03/GettyImages-12242183571.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Blaine Man Charged in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/09/Courtroom.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Reasons Why COVID Can Be Worse on Some and Not Others](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/12/attachment-Coughing.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Why More People in Central MN are Getting the Latest Version of COVID](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/12/attachment-Coughing.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Where to Dine Outdoors in Central Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2020/05/RS26088_GettyImages-475888436.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![City of St. Cloud Tracking COVID Through Wastewater](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2014/02/Wastewater-Facility.jpg?w=980&q=75)