American Red Cross is in dire need of blood and platelet donors: How to help locally

DOVER — The American Red Cross is sending out a plea for blood donors, saying there is a tremendous need right now. The Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage. The Red Cross said blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold. The number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40% over the last 20 years. “When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations — such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between…