Blood donors needed year-round, Report

United Blood Services is asking the community to donate blood and help correct a blood shortage caused by recent storms and the holiday season.

Winter storms across the region have forced blood drives to cancel and blood centers to close impacting the blood supply.

While they don’t want anyone to risk their lives getting to a donation center, they are asking those who can help to make an appointment.

“Because most of these communities are all being impacted by winter storms we can’t really help each other out so anybody that is able to get out and donate can sign up for a blood drive in their community. We really are encouraging them to do that now because we are experiencing this shortage,” says Tami Kilzer with United Blood Services.

Donors can make an appointment to donate blood at www.UnitedBloodServices.org or by calling (877)827-4376. With each donation, donors receive a free total cholesterol test and earn points in United Blood Services Hero in Me rewards program.

Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in to refreshments. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Fast Track Health History the day they donate on www.UnitedBloodServices.org.

Agencies/Canadajournal