The American Red Cross has put out a national call for blood donors, after severe winter weather in the eastern half of the United States caused the cancelation of more than 14,000 blood and platelet donations throughout the American Red Cross.

"We have not seen the January supply drop this dramatically in a decade and we need to reverse this now," said Tom Kane, Blood Services Account Manager of the American Red Cross in Westchester County, NY.

The Red Cross urgest all eligible donors to unaffected areas to make an appointment to give blood or platelets in the coming days, and those in affected areas to donate as soon as travel is deemed safe, by calling 1-800-733-2767 or by visiting redcrossblood.org.