Cape Cod Healthcare says the extreme cold weather over the past two weeks has made a difficult situation worse; the supply of blood on Cape Cod.
Officials say donor turnout to CCHC blood drives has plummeted due to storms and bitter cold temperatures.
CCHC says there is a constant need for blood and blood products for patients at Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital. Said products must continually be replenished due to their short shelf life. Whole blood has a shelf life of 42 days and platelets have a shelf life of just five days.
There are a number of blood drives being held across the Cape during January, which is National Blood Donor Month. Anyone giving the gift of life this month at a Cape Cod Healthcare Blood Drive will receive a complimentary t-shirt and have the chance to enter a drawing for a dinner and overnight stay at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
To find a blood drive in your area, visit Cape Cod Healthcare.