SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The coronavirus pandemic has affected many organizations across the country and the American Red Cross isn’t an exception.
With the coronavirus outbreak, the organization is facing a severe blood shortage. According to Stephen Walsh, spokesperson for the American Red Cross Gold Country Region, the organization had to cancel more than 6,000 blood drives nationwide, which means they have about 200,000 fewer blood donations.
Since natural disasters and other emergencies will keep happening during the pandemic, the Red Cross urgently needs about $156 million to help people, Walsh said. That’s why help right now is more important than ever. The organization is urging individuals to donate on Red Cross Giving Day to help families, neighbors, communities, and organizations assisting those who need it most.
“We are asking for 30,000 supporters to stand together as humanitarians to help others in need. Your donation will enable us to continue delivering its life-saving today and in the future,” said American Red Cross Gold Country Region spokesperson, Gary Strong.
“This Red Cross Giving Day will support all needs of the American Red Cross and will allow us to serve our community where needed most,” Strong added.
Individuals can donate to the Red Cross on or before Giving Day by visiting www.redcross.org/GivingDay. Any donation will be helpful.
The donations will help the American Red Cross adapt to recent challenges and make sure that communities can turn to the organization following disasters big and small, from home fires that affect a single family to devastating wildfires and floods that rip through entire neighborhoods and towns.
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