Severe Winter Weather Takes Toll On Blood Supply

Tuesday, 01/25/11 4:04pm and Wednesday, 01/26/11 6:06am

AP File Photo/Toby Talbot

A donor raises her arm after giving blood for the annual Gift-of-Life Marathon blood drive in Rutland, Dec. 2010.

(Host) The American Red Cross says its blood supply has dropped dramatically this month - the first time it's seen such a decline in a decade.

Officials say numerous blood drives were canceled over the past few weeks because of severe winter weather across much of the eastern U.S.

The Red Cross estimates it's lost more than 14,000 blood and platelet donations so far in January - 600 of those in northern New England.

The organization is encouraging eligible donors to give blood, and has scheduled local blood drives all across Vermont through the end of the month.

NOTE: For more information on a blood drive in your area, see link below:

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