A weekend snowstorm kept people from donating blood and caused a severe drop in supplies throughout New England, American Red Cross officials reported Wednesday.

Blood is urgently needed over the next few days and weeks, said Richard Benjamin, M.D., chief medical officer of the American Red Cross Blood Services, New England region. “The storm severely impacted our ability to collect and distribute much needed blood this weekend,” he said. “Officials are monitoring the blood supply on an hourly basis because there is not enough on the shelves.”

The snowstorm accounted for the loss of at least 800 units of blood and 250 platelet donations at a time when blood supplies were already critically low, said Red Cross spokesman Eric Lynes.

The Red Cross is not able to meet hospital demand for blood products of blood types O-positive, A-negative and B-negative. The supply of type O-negative blood is critically low, less than half of a one-day supply, and is available for transfusion only.

Donors originally scheduled but unable to give blood or platelets over the weekend will be contacted by the Red Cross to reschedule for a blood drive of their choice in the coming days and weeks.

Other donors or potential donors are asked to call 1-800-482-0743 to make an appointment. Anyone 17 or older, weighing 110 pounds or more and feeling in good health may be eligible to donate.

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