Red Cross dealing with severe blood shortage

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The American Red Cross is asking people to roll up their sleeves and give.

They say they’re facing a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries continue to rise.

UVM Medical Center in Burlington, Vermont says its blood bank usually operates at a seven-day supply, but it’s currently operating at about half that.

The Red Cross needs to collect 80 pints of blood every day to meet hospital demand. That means 560 people need to give each week.

The Red Cross is giving $5 Amazon gift cards to anyone who donates from now until June 30.

Learn more about why they say it’s so important for more people to donate blood by watching the video.