Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, both in Boston, report extremely low supplies of available blood platelets, according to Boston Magazine.
The Kraft Family Blood Donor Center, which serves both of the Boston-based hospitals, said in a statement it had an "extreme shortage" of platelets, which could be further exacerbated by Hurricane Matthew and the upcoming Columbus Day holiday.
Blood platelets bind together to repair damaged blood vessels and stop bleeding, according to the report. While a healthy body can constantly produce new platelets, critically ill patients often need platelet transfusions.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital are asking for platelet donations over the next for days, especially from male donors.
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