Community Corner
Red Cross: Blood Supply at 'Emergency Levels,' Where to Donate Near Somerville
The American Red Cross has half the amount of blood in stock than it did at this point last year. It's making a push over the next few weeks to collect more.
The Red Cross has issued an emergency request for blood donations, stating in a press release that its "blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June." The blood bank is stocked with about half the available blood it held this time last year.
As a result, the Red Cross hopes to collect 6,500 units of blood in the Massachusetts region throughout the next two weeks.
Red Cross officials speculate that an earlier-than-normal spring season could have led to fewer than typical blood donations as regular donors transitioned into summer activities early and failed to schedule their blood and platelet donations.
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Now, need exists for all blood types, but particularly for O Positive, O Negative, A Negative and B Negative blood.
You can donate if you're at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and healthy.
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Here are some upcoming blood drives in and around Somerville:
July 2: , 31 College Ave.
July 9: VFW Post 1012114 Mystic Ave., Medford
July 9: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Student Center, 84 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
July 9: Knights of Columbus, 545 Medford St., Charlestown
July 13: , 230 Highland Ave.
To find a blood drive near you, visit here.
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