Severe winter weather paired with the flu has caused the American Red Cross to reach a critical level on blood supplies.

Just within the month of January, nearly 550 blood drives have been cancelled due to weather related conditions. The widespread of flu has played its part in blood donations as well, the American Red Cross website said.

Everyday, the Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations to meet the needs of patients, the press release said.

“Blood and platelet donations are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in,” said Clifford Numark, senior vice president of the Red Cross Blood Services said.

“Donors are critically needed to restock the shelves for patients in their community as well as areas where donors are unable to give due to inclement weather.”

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, which provides blood products for Mizell Memorial Hospital in Opp, has also issued a statement about the urgent need for blood donations.

Blood drives planned here include:

• On Fri., Feb. 2, LifeSouth will be at the Andalusia Walmart from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Sat., Feb. 3, LifeSouth will be at Cancer Freeze in Florala from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Fri., Feb. 16, the American Red Cross will be at Straughn High School from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.