Blood banks asking for donations during National Blood Donor Month

Blood banks and the red cross have experienced pandemic-related issues, including ongoing blood drive cancellations. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Due to a nationwide shortage, blood banks across the country are asking for donations during National Blood Donor Month.

The month of January is National Blood Donor Month and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many blood banks across the country are experiencing shortages.

The American Red Cross says the Type O blood has been routinely in short supply, with high demand in hospitals. Hospitals need the O negative blood type for emergency transfusions and for immune-deficient infants.

The Red Cross says they’ve seen a 10 percent decline in the number of people donating blood since the beginning of the pandemic.

Blood banks and the red cross have experienced pandemic-related issues, including ongoing blood drive cancellations.

The Red Cross says individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are still eligible to donated blood and platelets. Appointments to give blood or platelets can be made at RedCrossBlood.org.