An emergency blood shortage has hit the nation, with blood supplies down more than 25% since May, and the Vitalant Blood Donation center in Billings is asking for help.
According to the company, around 62% of the United States population is eligible to donate, but only 3% of the population does.
“We don’t say emergency shortage unless it’s really that critical of a situation,” said Vitalant communications manager Tori Robbins. “We strive to have four days on hand of each blood type and we have seen some of the blood types, including the most critical ones O-positive and O-negative, dip below two days on hand.”
The summer months typically tend to see a decrease in donations due to vacations and fewer blood drives being held.
“We always see a drop. It just is not bouncing back like we hoped it would and need it to,” Robbins said.
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