Oklahomans Asked To Donate Blood In Wake Of Hurricane Sandy

The American Red Cross is asking Oklahomans to donate blood and help those suffering from the impact of Hurricane Sandy.

The super storm forced the organization to cancel 300 blood drives in 14 states along the east coast. That has caused a dangerous shortfall in the blood and platelet supply in the region; one that is only expected to grow.

Learn more about donating blood to the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is now asking people in unaffected parts of the country to donate blood and platelets to make up for the shortage in the impacted areas.

"Just as Red Cross volunteers have mobilized to provide disaster relief and other emergency assistance, we are mobilizing blood and platelets donations to ensure patients have access to the potentially lifesaving blood products they need," said Steve Nagle, CEO of the Red Cross Southwest Region. "When you donate blood or platelets through the Red Cross, you can help patients in your local community and patients across the country, including those in Hurricane Sandy's path."

The Red Cross partners with more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. There are several blood drives in central Oklahoma within the next few days at which people can donate:

Cleveland County
November 8
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
University of Oklahoma's Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity House, 701 College Ave. in Norman

November 9
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
University of Oklahoma's Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity House, 701 College Ave. in Norman

November 12
2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
American Red Cross Norman Chapter, 1205 Halley Drive in Norman

Logan County
November 1
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
American Legion Post 58, 123 N. First St. in Guthrie

Payne County
November 5
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
American Red Cross Stillwater Chapter, 114 W. Eighth Ave. in Stillwater

November 5
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Oklahoma State University's Gamma Phi Beta House, 1405 W. Third St. in Stillwater

Pottawatomie County
November 2
12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 501 N. Broadway in Shawnee