PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Blood Center has issued an urgent call for blood donations in the face of Hurricane Milton and local needs. The severe weather has forced the closing of multiple blood centers, canceled blood drives and restricted donor access to affected areas. The Rhode Island Blood Center is poised to help provide blood products to the national blood supply. “This has been one of the most devastating hurricane seasons we have seen in years and a robust blood supply is essential for disaster preparedness and our country’s overall public health,” said Caitlin Grimaldi-Flick, Marketing and Communications Manager at Rhode Island Blood Center. “We’re calling on all eligible Rhode Islanders to help ensure a stable blood supply to support hospitals that rely on us, both locally and nationally, so our neighbors in the Southeast can focus on recovering from these storms without the burden of blood shortages.” Categories: News, Rhode Island