The American Red Cross currently has less than a five-day blood supply on hand.
The Red Cross issued an emergency request for blood and platelet donations earlier this month. Thousands have responded, but donations are still being delivered to hospitals faster than they are coming in.
Western New Yorkers are asked to donate blood and will be given a $5 Amazon.com gift card in exchange for their donation.
"The Red Cross continues to have an emergency need for blood and platelet donors to give now and help save patient lives," said Patty Corvaia of the New York-Penn Blood Services Region. "We are grateful for those who have already stepped up this summer to give and want to remind those who are eligible that hospital patients are still counting on them to roll up a sleeve."
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce wait times.
