The recent winter weather has impacted blood collections in the Atlanta area. The freezing rain, sleet and snow resulted in more than 2,400 units of blood that could not be collected due to blood donation center closures, cancelled blood drives and the inability of donors to attend blood drives. Donors are encouraged to donate as soon as possible. There is a special need for type O and type B blood donors.

For more efficient processing, Red Cross representatives are strongly urging donors to schedule an appointment in advance. Walk-in will also be accommodated, but scheduled appointments will have priority.

To schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code “gatech.” 

Everyone who participates in donating blood between January 1 and March 31, 2011 are eligible to enter a drawing to win one of two pairs of roundtrip tickets on Delta Air Lines.