Blood donations are critically needed as Red Cross faces worst shortage in a decade

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Blood donations at our area hospitals are reaching a critical level.

Patients are having trouble receiving transfusions during this shortage.

According to the American Red Cross, we have the lowest amount of blood available in more than a decade.

The coronavirus has produced staff shortages at the Red Cross and kept many people from donating.

An Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Task Force is dedicated to working with local hospitals to find solutions.

Organizers say it only takes a little effort for us to solve a dire need.

"There's so many people, whether it's an accident victim or an expecting mom or a cancer patient, but that depends on this blood being on hospital shelves every single day, and a blood donation from start to finish takes about an hour and it takes about six to eight minutes to fill up that bag and you walk out the door knowing that you've helped help save a life," Matthew Ochsner said.

To schedule an appointment or find out if you are eligible to donate blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  

Those who come to give blood Feb. 1-28, 2022, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.