STORM WATCH: Debby making CT's critical blood shortage worse
Blood supplies are already down 25%, and the shortage is expected to get even worse because Debby interrupted the blood supply in the Carolinas.
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Connecticut missed the brunt of Tropical Storm Debby, but the storm is making the state's already critical blood shortage even worse.
That's because Debby disrupted more than 100 blood drives across the East Coast.
CRITICALLY LOW
Evan Burns, of Avon, is saving lives from the comfort of a chair. On Friday, he came to the Red Cross Donation Center to donate blood platelets.
"They take plasma out of your blood and strip the platelets out of it somehow with that fancy machine, and put it back in," he said.
Red Cross officials said they need a lot more donors. Blood supplies are already down 25%, and the shortage is expected to get even worse because Debby interrupted the blood supply in the Carolinas.
"We're part of a national network, so if we're impacted by a disaster here, our folks in the Carolinas may be helping us out," said Richard Branigan, the American Red Cross' Connecticut director. "In the case of the Carolinas being underwater right now, it's time for us to step up."
The Red Cross desperately needs Type O blood, the universal donor.
HOW TO HELP
Donating blood is easier than ever these days. The Red Cross app and website and app will locate you and show you the nearest blood drives. In Connecticut, the Red Cross holds up to 15 drives per day across the state.
"Every two seconds in the United States, someone needs blood," said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. "And here in Connecticut, it's essential for surgeries and cancer treatment."
Donating platelets takes about three hours. For Evan Burns, the satisfaction lasts a lifetime.
"It's an easy sacrifice, because you're sitting here watching TV and doing something good," he said.
And here's an added incentive: If you give blood through the month of August, the Red Cross is offering $20 Amazon gift cards by e-mail.
