A blood drive will be held Tuesday afternoon in St. Joseph amidst what the Red Cross is calling a critical donation shortage.

Ongoing severe winter weather has more than doubled the number of canceled American Red Cross blood drives and the resulting blood and platelet donation shortfall since earlier in the month.

According to a press release, the Red Cross considers the situation critical and is reissuing an urgent call for blood and platelet donors.

More than 550 blood drives have been forced to cancel due to winter weather in January, causing over 16,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected through last week. In addition, bitter cold and widespread flu have contributed to low turnout at many blood drives.

A blood drive will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, at the Northwest Chapter of the Red Cross in St. Joseph at 401 N. 12th St.

For more information and locations, click here.

 

More upcoming blood donation opportunities in the area:

 

-Lathrop: January 31, 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Lathrop High School, 102 N. School St.

-Leavenworth, Kansas: January 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fairfield Inn & Suites, 1101 N. 4th St.

-St. Joseph: February 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Missouri Western State University Blum Student Union

 

Platte County:

-Kansas City: January 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hy-Vee, 64th St., 5330 NW 64th St.

January 28, 1 to 5 p.m. at Club House, 5502 NW Club House Cove

-Platte City: January 30, 12 to 6 p.m. at Platte County High School, 1501 Branch and 92 Hwy