ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The American Red Cross says the country is in the middle of one of the worst blood shortages ever.
The number of blood donations has hit a four-year low this summer. News10NBC’s Garrett Chan spoke with a Rochester Regional Health doctor and a Red Cross chapter leader about how the shortage could impact the need for blood at local hospitals.
BLOOD DONATION: See a list of upcoming blood drives in the Rochester region here
What’s driving the shortage?
Ken Lee, executive director of the American Red Cross Rochester chapter, says blood donations typically drop during the summer as more people go on vacation and there are no blood drives at schools. However, the number of donations this summer has fallen lower than previous years. The Red Cross believes the extreme heat and air quality concerns that much of the country has dealt with this summer may be contributing to the low numbers…