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Red Cross experiences blood shortages during coronavirus outbreak

The Red Cross is hoping Arizonans come together to donate blood and help with shortage.

PHOENIX — The American Red Cross is facing a national blood shortage amid the Coronavirus outbreak. As a result, the organization is asking for healthy people to come out and donate to help fill up the blood supply right now.

At a time filled with cancellations, Arizonans like Stephen Rowse are coming together to donate blood.

“I’m a student and they stopped school for us, so I’m not doing much but staying at home so I thought I’d come in and give a little blood," Rowse said.

And people like Rowse donating blood, are critical right now. Colin Williams, a Red Cross spokesperson, said there were more than 55 blood drive cancellations in Arizona because of the coronavirus over the last couple of weeks.

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“We see cancellations for random reasons, but we don’t see mass cancellations," Williams said. 

Williams said the mass cancellations can hurt people who need blood for cancer treatments, traumatic injuries, medical procedures and more.

“And that will never stop," Williams said. "So the need is there, so we want people to come down knowing the American Red Cross has put procedures in place to keep them safe.”

From extra sanitizing and social distancing while waiting, the Red Cross is taking extra cleaning and social distancing precautions at Thursday’s blood drive in Phoenix.

“The person who greeted us was wearing gloves and took my temperature to make sure I didn’t have a fever," Rowse said. 

A hopeful site of Arizonans pulling together, when so much is uncertain.

“Everyone should be trying to do their part as much as possible," Rowse said.

For details on how you can help the Red Cross during this critical time, click or tap here

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