ALBANY — The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood emergency as remnants of Hurricane Debby and other severe weather events across the country have further complicated efforts to rebuild the nation’s blood supply.

The American Red Cross urged those in unaffected areas to make an appointment to give now.

Weather in recent weeks has added to the summer shortfall in donations by forcing the cancellation of nearly 60 blood drives throughout the country, the Red Cross said. Many of those were caused by Debby. About 1,500 lifesaving blood products had been expected at those drives.

Annually, severe weather − such as blizzards, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes − impacts about 90,000 blood donations made to the Red Cross. In Georgia, more than 450 blood drives have been canceled due to weather over the last 10 years, including 12 so far this year. This has resulted in about 400 donations going uncollected in the Georgia Region to date in 2024, the Red Cross said.

“Because blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer blood donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have serious consequences for hospitals and patients,” the organization said in a press release.

First-time donors and those who give regularly are critical to blood supply recovery. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). In thanks, all who come to give through Aug. 31 will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Help for details.

Those who come to give Sept. 1-15 will receive an exclusive Red Cross raglan T-shirt, while supplies last.