The American Red Cross is asking people to donate blood after seeing the lowest number of blood donors in 20 years.

The organization is facing a nationwide blood shortage, made worse by recent blood drive cancellations due to winter storms.

The Massachusetts branch says blood is going out faster than it's coming in.

"The week before Christmas we saw a drop of roughly 7,000 blood donations, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day we saw another drop of that same number,” said Kelly Isenor, communications director for the American Red Cross of Massachusetts.

“It sounds like small numbers when talking about national supply, but we were at a point where we were already struggling. That's why we needed to get out there and remind people if you're thinking about giving blood, now is the time."

Anyone wishing to give blood can make an appointment at any location on the Red Cross website.