Portland, Ore. – The American Red Cross reports that blood donations in the region have taken a downward turn after the recent storms that ravaged the Pacific Northwest.

Major weather events in Oregon and Southwest Washington have forced the closure of blood drives in some communities and have made it difficult for other donors to keep their scheduled appointments.

As a result of the storms, the Red Cross has been unable to collect approximately 350 units of blood scheduled for this week. Additional blood drives are being considered for cancellation due to continued weather-related problems, which could result in further loss of collections.

“The Red Cross is working with communities throughout the Northwest to help restore lives to normal after the storm, but we need the public’s help to make up for the blood that we have not been able to collect this week,” says Eric Brown, CEO of the Red Cross Pacific Northwest Regional Blood Services.

“We are encouraging anyone who is eligible to make an appointment to donate and help us ensure that the blood supply remains stable after the recent storms.”

Anyone interested in scheduling an appointment to donate blood should call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543).

Interested donors must weigh at least 110 lbs, be in good general health, and not have donated whole blood in the past 56 days. In Oregon, 16-year-olds can donate with a signed American Red Cross parental consent form.