Summer slump saps U.S. blood stockpile

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WASHINGTON, July 28 (UPI) -- The American Red Cross said the U.S. blood supply has dipped to its lowest level in 15 years heading into to what is typically the slowest month for donations.

The usual summer doldrums as well as a run of bad weather and the July 4 holiday combined to cancel blood drives and keep individual donors from taking the time to drop off a pint at their local blood bank.

"We just aren't seeing the donor coming through the door right now," Red Cross spokeswoman Karen Stecher told USA Today.

The newspaper said Mother Nature was partly to blame. A series of storms in early July forced the cancellation of dozens of blood drives, and stubborn hot spells kept donors from venturing out of their air-conditioned homes.

The July 4 holiday fell in the middle of the week this year, which cut into blood drives sponsored by companies.

August tends to be the slowest month of the year with donors focusing more on making the most of their dwindling vacation time before school resumes.

"August is the killer month, so we'll see," said Jim MacPherson, chief executive officer of America's Blood Center.