DeKALB – The American Red Cross will host four blood drives in DeKalb County within the next couple of weeks to help with the drop in blood supply caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Red Cross spokesman Ben Corey said the organization is short 12,000 blood and platelet donations, a number officials expect to rise as power outages and flooding persist on the East Coast.

“We’re really trying to replenish the national blood supply,” said Corey, adding that the American Red Cross makes up about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply.