"This past weekend, when there were so many advisories to not travel and then there was bad weather expected, we had to cancel some blood drives, and with our donors coming into the sites, (there) was a lower number," said Pamela Holman, site manager of the St. Joseph Community Blood Center in Missouri.
The Community Blood Center reported that it was short by 500 units the weekend of Jan. 14 and 15 due to Winter Storm Jupiter, a shortage on top of the blood emergency the organization declared last month. Winter months already typically see fewer donors, Holman said.
"We started out with a holiday season. It's always a slow time for us to get blood donations," she said. "The weather adds to that. Also, flu season adds in there as well."
The Community Blood Center, with locations in the Greater Kansas City area, Topeka, Kansas, and St. Joseph, needs 580 units of blood per weekday to service areas hospitals, Holman said.
Blood donations are accepted seven days a week at the Community Blood Center, 3122 Frederick Ave., and blood drives can be organized through businesses and organizations, Holman said. Call 816-232-6791 for more information.
The American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri will hold a blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the chapter's meeting room, 401 N. 12th St. Appointments may be scheduled at redcrossblood.org with sponsor code ARCNW.
"The need for blood is constant and given the holidays and recent weather, the need is critical," said Angie Springs, executive director with the American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri. "Blood cannot be manufactured, so please consider giving."
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