First snowfall of season slows collections as blood supply remains low after holidays

Jan. 23, 2012

With a 20% decrease in donations since Dec. 26, our region’s blood supply has not yet returned to pre-holiday levels. And with January's winter storms and more winter weather in the forecast, recruiters are now concerned about the impact of weather on collections. Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center (MVRBC) asks the public to give blood in the coming days to help ensure blood products are available for patients at local hospitals. “It has been a mild winter so far,” said Amanda Hess, Director of Donor Relations, “But we know a winter storm can keep donors away for several days. That’s why it’s especially important for us to have strong inventories at this time of year.”
                                                                

To find a nearby mobile blood drive or MVRBC Donor Center, please call (800) 747-5401 or schedule online at www.bloodcenterIMPACT.org. Donors must be at least 17 years of age (or 16, with signed parental permission form) and weigh at least 110 lbs. Additional information on donor eligibility is available on the MVRBC web site, www.bloodcenter.org.
 
The Blood Center relies on strong donor turnout in January to help inventories recover after the holidays. January is National Blood Donor Month, a time to highlight the importance of giving the gift of life through blood donation. MVRBC donors provide a critical, lifesaving resource to hospitals throughout our region, as the Blood Center is the provider of blood and blood components to 80 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.