LONG BEACH, CA - JANUARY 15: Susan, an American Red Cross Rn. checks on Long Beach firefighter Brandon Bear as he makes a power red donation which is twice the red blood cells as a whole blood donation.
Bear donated for the annual Battle of the Badge LOS ANGELES - The current coronavirus pandemic is already impacting the national blood supply and drives here in the Southern California Region.
The American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the outbreak.
The Red Cross says that healthy individuals are needed now to donate to help patients counting on lifesaving blood. Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood with the Red Cross by visiting