Emergency Blood Shortage Spikes Need In OC: Where To Find Blood Drives

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — While summer vacation starts to reach its end, a steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need.

According to American Red Cross representatives, Red Cross distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected.

This comes at a time when hospitals often see a higher demand for blood products, representatives said.

Now more than ever, Orange County residents were encouraged to take some time to donate lifesaving blood and plasma.

Residents who choose to donate between July 13 and July 31 will receive a free Fandango movie ticket by email, according to the Red Cross.

"A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible," Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross, said in a news release."Emergency departments, operating rooms, and labor and delivery units can't support patients with the most urgent needs, and cancer patients must wait. We’re asking donors to give now before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions."

For a run-down on upcoming blood drives in Orange County, visit the American Red Cross's website.