Monday, February 23rd 2015, 10:28 am
The Oklahoma Blood Institute is reporting a major decline in donors due to wintry weather conditions across the state.
According to the OBI, donor centers across the Oklahoma City metro area are open at 7:30 a.m. Monday, and will be open across the state. Since 600 donors are needed each day to meet the needs of patients in the 158 hospitals that OBI serves across the state, a major decline in donors – as is being seen on Monday – can quickly put the blood supply in jeopardy.
Due to poor travel in northern and southern parts of the state on Sunday and Monday, officials said many blood drives scheduled for those areas have been canceled. At least 70 donors are needed just to make up for those losses that were expected to provide blood to patients in state hospitals.
With more storms expected this week, OBI officials are asking people to take advantage of any breaks in the weather in their area to donate. As soon as it is safe to travel, anyone who is 16 or older and healthy is urged to come to an Oklahoma Blood Institute donor center or blood drive. Donation typically takes just an hour.
Donors with negative blood types are especially needed. Since only 18 percent of the population has negative type, shortages occur sooner of these types. However, patients with negative blood types can only have blood to survive from others with negative blood types.
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