Fewer blood drives resulted in 50,000 fewer donations and a reduced blood supply, according to a press release.
In response, the American Red Cross has sent out an alert for an urgent need for blood and platelet donations.
America’s Blood Center reports that every two seconds a patient in the U.S. needs blood, and that one in seven patients require blood upon entering the hospital.
With such high demand, the organization encourages both eligible and new donors to make appointments to avoid a shortage this winter, said Garry Allison, director of donor recruitment for the Red Cross River Valley Blood Services Region, in the release.
“A decline in the blood supply after the winter holidays is not uncommon, but it can be replenished when generous volunteers roll up their sleeves to help save lives,” Allison said in the release.
Because of this routine decline in blood supply over the winter months, January was named National Blood Donor Month in 1970.
This decline in donations is partially due to flu season. Donors who wish to give blood while experiencing flu-like symptoms will be deferred from donating, according to the American Red Cross website.
There are six different blood drives happening this month in Bloomington. To be eligible to give blood, donors must be 17 years old or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required.
Lindsay Moore
Where to give blood
1/14/2016
Noon - 6 p.m. : Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. Third St.
1/15/2016
8 a.m. - 2 p.m. : Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. Third St.
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. : IU Cyberinfrastructure Building, 2709 E. 10th St.
1/16/2016
8 a.m. - Noon : Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. Third St.
1/20/2016
Noon - 6 p.m. : Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. Third St.
1/21/2016
Noon - 6 p.m. : Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600
W. Third St.
2 - 6 p.m. : Hutton Honors College, 811 E. Seventh St.
1/22/2016
8 a.m. - 2 p.m. : IU School of Education, 201 N. Rose Ave.
1/26/2016
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. : IU School of Education, 201 N. Rose Ave.
1/27/2016
Noon - 6 p.m. : Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. Third St.
1 - 6 p.m. : Monroe County Public Library
1/28/2016
Noon - 6 p.m. : Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. Third St.
2 - 6 p.m. : Ashton Residence Center, 1800 E. 10th St.
1/29/2016
8 a.m. - 2 p.m. : Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. Third St.
1/30/2016
8 a.m. - Noon : Bloomington Blood Donation Center, 1600 W. Third St.
