The Red Cross is experiencing a major shortage of blood and platelets.
The non-profit said severe winter weather and the seasonal flu have contributed to the unusual problem. More than 550 blood drives have been canceled on the east coast due to winter weather through last week.
Rita Jevicky of the Red Cross said the situation is very critical.
"We’re at that point right now where we do not have an overstock of blood that we could help out or send to an emergency situation," Jevicky said. "Right now we are barely keeping up with the blood that’s needed for emergency surgeries.”
Jevicky said even elective surgeries could be canceled due to the lack of blood.
The time just after the holiday season tends to bring in low donation numbers in Phoenix. This year, those numbers are further affected by the tough flu season.
