Empty shelves where blood should be stored tells the story of the crisis the N.C. chapter of the Red Cross is experiencing.
"Right now we have become at a level where we have less than a days supply in O, A, and B blood types," Donna Gonyeau, N.C. Chapter of American Red Cross.
With less than a day's supply remaining of the three blood types, the Red Cross is putting a call out to the community.
"Traditionally January is a month where the blood supply does run a little bit low, but for some reason we're trying to find out why that is at this point," Gonyeau said. "We have become really severely low in those blood types but we need everyone with every blood type to donate."
The shortage is so bad right now, the Red Cross is working very hard to get people through its doors to donate. The organization has extended hours at all donation centers in Wake and Durham counties through January 25.
"It's a rare thing for us to extend our hours and that really puts a call out to the community saying there really is a need, and it's something we are doing to make it so we can get more blood.," Gonyeau said.
The N.C. chapter needs 1,600 pints of blood a day to supply hospitals in the community. Donors can give every 56 days.
There are two donation centers in Raleigh and on in Cary and one in Durham. In addition to extended hours, the Red Cross will be open for blood donations on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
