After receiving 27,000 fewer donations than needed to sustain blood supply, the American Red Cross issued an urgent call for donors, according to Ozarks First.
The blood shortage was attributed to a donation shortfall over the winter holiday season. The Red Cross is looking for all types of blood and platelet donors.
Currently, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types on hand.
Each year, only 3 percent of eligible donors donate blood to the American Red Cross, the organization responsible for 40 percent of the nation's blood supply.
To increase convenience of blood donation, the Red Cross has a donor app, available for iPhone and Android smartphones. The Red Cross blood donor app helps users find places to donate and set up appointments and alerts users to shortages so they can give blood when it is needed most.