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Nevadans urged to donate blood to meet urgent need

Updated June 16, 2021 - 7:16 pm

The American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society are encouraging Las Vegas Valley residents to give blood in June to assist those undergoing cancer treatment.

According to the American Cancer Society, patient treatments delayed earlier in the pandemic are now resuming at the same time blood donations are down, creating serious shortages in the national blood supply.

“Many cancer patients, especially those going through chemotherapy, will have a need for blood products during treatment,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross.

There is an emergency need for both platelets and type O blood, said Nevada Red Cross representative Cynthia De La Torre.

To schedule a blood donation appointment, visit GiveBloodToGiveTime.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Contact Mary Hynes at mhynes@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0336. Follow @MaryHynes1 on Twitter.

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