The Red Cross of Northwest Missouri said its regularly scheduled blood drive is now more important than ever in the wake of a Blizzard that hit the East Coast.

“It has caused a shortage of blood,” said Angie Spring, Ex Dir for the American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri. “When there is a critical shortage across our nation we want to make sure that people have blood.  There’s only one way you can get that lifesaving product.”

The American Red Cross said it currently has an emergency need for blood and platelet donations. The agency said severe winter storms since Jan. 1 have forced the cancellation of hundreds of blood drives resulting in more than 9,500 uncollected donations creating the emergency need.  Springs said there is a Blood Drive scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 26 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Northwest office located at 401 North 12th St.

“We’re really trying to step up on that front to assist those in need,” Springs said. “We keep a blood drive scheduled every 56 days so it just happens to fall at the right time.”

Springs said anyone wanting to give blood just needs to show up during the blood drive to help with those efforts.

“Everyone deserves the gift of life,” Springs said. “It does not hurt at all to give blood.  It’s a very easy process and takes usually about an hour and with each unit of blood we collect you can save up to three lives.”

To drop off monetary donation or for more information contact the Red Cross at (816) 232-8439