MADISON, Wis. — The American Red Cross is canceling its annual holiday blood drive in Madison due to the impending winter storm and dangerously cold wind chills.
The drive was scheduled to be held Friday, Dec. 23 at the Alliant Energy Center. The Red Cross said it was making the cancellation in Madison as well as in Green Bay and La Crosse due to “looming severe winter weather and safety concerns for staff, volunteers, donors and partners.”
“While we’re discouraged, we are hopeful donors can join us at other drives in the coming days to ensure a strong blood supply for people in need,” said Mark Thomas, Regional CEO and Southeast Wisconsin Executive Director of the American Red Cross said in a statement Wednesday.
The Red Cross says between the Madison, Green Bay and La Crosse events, the cancellations mean they will be short about 800 units of blood they usually get from those drives. Because of that, the Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood once it is safe to drive.
You can make an appointment near you by going to their website or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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