TULSA — The Red Cross is in desperate need of blood donations following the holidays.
Nationwide, the Red Cross saw 27,000 fewer blood donations over the holidays than they see at other times of the year.
"The blood supply nationwide is down to about a three day supply," William Hawkins, blood collection manager for the state of Oklahoma, said. "As a general rule, the Red Cross likes to keep a five day supply on hand."
Tulsa's blood supply is following the same downward trend.
Hawkins said between travel and errands, people stay pretty busy and it is hard to get donors in.
They have blood drives set up to replenish their stock, but winter weather might force them to cancel.
In January and February of last year, the Red Cross said they had hundreds of drives canceled because of winter weather.
"The only way to give blood is through voluntary donations," Hawkins said. "It’s nothing that can be manufactured, so we have to depend on the public at large to roll up their sleeves as it were and come in and donate."
They ask people who are willing to donate to make an appointment online.
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