Updated 11/20/19

The American Red Cross now faces a blood shortage and has issued an emergency call for eligible individuals of all blood types to give now and prevent delays in medical care.

Next stop for the Red Cross Bloodmobile in Giles County is Monday at Pulaski Recreation Center from noon until 6 p.m.

About 450 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups which led to about 17,000 fewer blood donations than needed for patients causing the Red Cross to now have less than a three-day supply of most blood types available and less than a two day supply of type O blood for patients.

 According to Cliff Numark, senior vice president of the Red Cross Services, patients depend on lifesaving blood transfusions every day and the Red Cross only has less than a three-day supply when we need a five-day supply to be prepared for all situations that require blood products.