Earlier this month, we mentioned that winter storms in the east resulted in a great loss of blood collection activities due to canceled drives and appointments. Since then, storm after storm has continued to hit the Eastern seaboard with an estimated loss now at over 14,000 appointments.

As the nation’s largest blood bank, the American Red Cross maintains a national blood inventory system to respond to disasters. However, the weather this month has pushed the supply to it’s lowest levels in 10 years. As a result, the first national appeal since 2004 has been made for donors to show their support in this time of great need. Donations in the Pacific Northwest are particularly important as winter weather has not significantly impacted our region, and donation opportunities are plentiful.

If you want to see some reasons to donate, check out these appeals from areas impacted by the storms; Tennessee (video above), North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Vermont.