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Colleen O'Neill highlights the personal impact of the national blood shortage as the Red Cross declares an emergency.

Colleen O'Neill, a 62-year-old woman from New Hampshire, is experiencing the personal toll of a nationwide blood shortage. Suffering from severe anemia, O'Neill was recently told by Mass General Hospital that a necessary transfusion was postponed because the hospital needed to reserve existing stock for life-threatening emergencies and accidents. The Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage, noting that donations have fallen to a four-year low, particularly for universal 'Type O' blood. To address the crisis, the American Red Cross is urging donors of all blood types to schedule appointments. The organization is offering a $20 Amazon Gift Card to donors who sign up through August 31. Local initiatives are also supporting the supply, such as a whole blood drive hosted by the York County Fire Department in partnership with the Blood Connection. These efforts aim to ensure that emergency crews can provide immediate care to trauma victims in the field before they reach a hospital.

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