By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The American Red Cross says it is in danger of running out of blood for St. Louis area hospitals.
Spokesman Jim Williams says the region has less than a one-day supply of all types of blood, including O-negative, which is used most frequently in emergencies.
He says officials prefer to have a three-to-five-day supply of blood on hand.
"The blood that's donated today is already spoken for, for our hospitals," Williams says. "So, what we're looking for is to increase that so our hospitals keep their levels and keep operating and services aren't cancelled. We're not to that point yet.
"When we get to that point, it's too late. We don't want hospitals to not be able to do their job."
Williams says one reason for the shortage is the time of year. When schools are out, fewer high school and college students give blood.