The American Red Cross urgently needs blood.

Donations have been down across the country due to severe winter storms in some areas and the usual holiday season slowdown. The need is especially critical on the East Coast which has been socked by frigid temperatures.

The Northwest has been hit, too, with 800 fewer donations in November and December.

"Right now, blood donations are being distributed to hospitals as fast as they come in," said Natividad Lewis, a Portland-based spokeswoman for the Red Cross.

The agency critically needs donations of platelets, which have a short shelf life. They have to be transfused within five days, Lewis said.

The agency also needs type O negative blood, which is a universal blood type that anyone can receive.

"It's an important blood type for emergency situations," Lewis said.

Donations go to local hospitals first but the blood supply is also national. That means that donations from the Northwest could be used to help people in other areas of the country where the need might be greater.

To donate, call 800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and put in your Zip code. There's also a Blood Donor App.

-- Lynne Terry