The American Red Cross is urgently asking for blood donations after the national supply fell 35% the past month.
The organization called the situation a “severe shortage” on Tuesday, particularly for type O, type A negative and type B negative blood.
The nonprofit hypothesized that flu season is preventing people from donating blood.
Dr. Courtney Lawrence, the American Red Cross divisional chief medical officer, told ABC News that “donors may not be feeling well enough to come in to donate or may be busy taking care of their loved ones who are sick.”
The humanitarian group is especially urging donations due to the winter weather. Over the past month, thousands of donations at 400 American Red Cross blood drives nationwide went uncollected due to logistical issues posed by the cold, three times worse than over the same period a year ago.
People who donate blood to the American Red Cross by Sunday will be entered for a chance to win tickets to the Feb. 8 Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The winner will get two tickets, airfare, three-night hotel accommodations and a $1,000 gift card.
People who donate between Monday and Feb. 28, meanwhile, will get a $20 electronic gift card to the merchant of their choice, though the American Red Cross did not say which retailers or shopping websites were participating.
