COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to a nation-wide blood donation shortage, Morgan Drexen Integrated Systems, ( http://www.morgandrexen.com ) today responded to calls for help from the American Red Cross by scheduling a blood drive at its company headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA.
The Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage due to a series of severe winter storms which have paralyzed major metropolitan areas across two-thirds of the nation. According to the Red Cross, there have been more than 1,000 canceled blood drives in 34 states in the first 6 weeks of the year, resulting in the loss of more than 20,000 blood donors.
"This is a very strange situation," said Morgan Drexen CEO Walter Ledda. "It's not that people don't want to donate blood, it's just that they can't donate blood. Powerful blizzards and ice storms have been relentless this winter making it difficult, and sometimes even impossible for people to get out to donate blood."
The American Red Cross is asking that companies and individuals in areas of the country where the weather is nice, donate blood that can be shipped to parts of the country where donation levels have become dangerously low because weather conditions have been unusually bad.
The Red Cross usually maintains an average daily reserve of 80,000 units of blood, but due to the inability for blood drives to be scheduled, the amount has fallen to nearly 1/3 of that amount, resulting in one of the worst blood shortages in recent memory.
"The employees of Morgan Drexen are wonderful," said Dina Iglesias, Manager of Human Relations for the company. "The last time the Red Cross was in need of blood donations, our employees rallied to the call and donated almost 40 pints of blood. This time is a little bit different," She continued. "In addition to donating blood at our company, we are asking other companies to schedule blood drives at their offices."
"Morgan Drexen has always maintained a lead by example attitude," added Walter Ledda. "Supporting the Red Cross means supporting people from all over the country who may suddenly need blood to save their life."
Red Cross officials have been working to have hospitals postpone elective surgeries for the time being until supplies can catch back up to demand; but even they admit that the process may not happen until the snow melts.
About Morgan Drexen
Morgan Drexen ( www.morgandrexen.com ) provides integrated software systems and administrative support services to businesses and attorneys nationwide. Morgan Drexen's proprietary MDIS software improves workflow through the use of automated document management. In addition to computer technology, Morgan Drexen provides businesses with marketing, marketing support, call centers, outsourced litigation support, databases, work-product retrieval systems and cloud-computing platforms facilitated by the company's outsourced support staff.
Joe Lizura Vice President of Media 800-868-1458 ext. 523
