The need for blood is great in the wake of Super Storm Sandy

The east coast needs donations for recovery efforts following Super Storm Sandy.

One of the most critical needs is blood donations. Every two seconds somebody in this country needs blood. So far, Sandy has forced the cancelation of 300 blood drives across 14 states resulting in the loss of 9,000 pints of blood.

The Red Cross was prepared before the storm hit and shipped blood products to the affected areas ahead of time, but now, it’s calling on places like Tulsa to roll up our sleeves and donate. Carla Hinkle answered that call.

"We certainly have a lot of tough times here in Oklahoma. We're familiar with that, and all the people have come to our aid more times than we can ever count,” says Hinkle.

She understands the need is critical and if you don’t have money or time to donate, you do have your blood.

"I think it's important that we all kind of pitch in and spread the burden and help people out in their tough times,” says Hinkle.

The ability of a community to maintain a stable blood supply is critical, but when you’re in the midst of a crisis like Sandy, it can be difficult.

"Chances are the collection center won't be open and we can't ask someone who is the middle of that kind of struggle to do that, but that's something we can do here in Tulsa,” says Jan Hale with the Red Cross.

For people sitting on the fence about donating, Carla says step out and do it.

"There might be on occasion a little pinch and then you sit and watch the TV, and it just takes a few minutes,” says Hinkle.

The Red Cross says all blood types are needed right now, especially O Positive and O Negative.

You can also donate money to the Red Cross to help those affected by Sandy. To give, just call 1-800-Red Cross or text Red Cross to 90999 to donate $10 to the disaster relief fund.