How to donate blood during the American Red Cross shortage: UChicago Medicine surgeon

CHICAGO (WLS) -- As the American Red Cross has continued to face historically low blood-supply levels, a Chicago hospital said that could impact care.

SEE ALSO | Donors needed: American Red Cross facing 'emergency blood and platelet shortage'

Doctor Priya Prakash, a trauma surgeon at University of Chicago Medicine medical center, joined ABC7 on Thursday to discuss the blood shortage she has seen first-hand.

Prakash talked about what kind of injuries blood donations are frequently used for, why hospitals have seen an uptick in trauma patients recently, and the ongoing need for Type O blood specifically. She also discussed the process of donating blood during the COVID-19 pandemic and how viewers can donate blood to those in need.

The ABC7 Great Chicago Blood Drive is scheduled for Jan. 12-13.