Weather over the last ten days has resulted in a critical shortage of blood locally. Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) has lost more than 1,000 units of blood due to weather-related drive and donor appointment cancellations.

“If you are eligible blood or platelet donor, we need you now,” said Martin Grable, president and CEO of the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. “Our local hospitals use over 400 blood products each day. Patient needs for blood are not diminished by bad weather, but weather has seriously impacted our ability to collect due to business and school closings. We need your help today and over the next week.”

Anyone 16 and older who weighs at least 120 pounds is encouraged to donate at one of the five CBCC donation centers located in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Greensboro and Hickory, or at one of CBCC's many mobile drives. For more information or to make an appointment, call 704-972-4700 or visit www.cbcc.us.

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) is a non-profit community-based blood center and the primary blood supplier to 27 regional hospitals, serving 19 North Carolina and three South Carolina counties. CBCC focuses exclusively on gathering red blood cells, platelets and plasma from volunteer donors to save local lives here in the Carolinas. Every drop stays here, saving local lives. CBCC is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood centers providing more than 50% of the nation’s blood supply.

For more information on hosting a blood drive or donating blood in your area, visit www.cbcc.us or call 704-972-4700.

Follow the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BloodCenter and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBCCarolinas.