Blood centers across the country need donors.
Due to Hurricane's Helene and Milton, blood collections in the southeastern U.S. are in dire need of supplies. Many blood centers in the area are closed, unable to operate, and there's restricted donor access.
This significantly impacts the blood supply on a national level.
"In order for us to be able to continue offering support to our colleagues in the southeast, we need more donors," Memorial Blood Center's Chelsey Smith says. "So at this point, we're in immediate need of additional donors to ensure that we're able to rise to the occasion while meeting our local need as well."
Smith says she has never seen anything like what's happening in Florida in her 10 years with the company. Hurricanes Helene and Milton have severely impacted blood centers in Florida and that has trickled down across the country.
Because blood is perishable, meaning it can't be stored for a rainy day, there is a constant need for donations. In Minnesota alone, blood centers need to see thousands of donors every week. In the wake of a national disaster, the need becomes heightened and immediate.
"We see a bit of a spike in blood donations because people know that this is one thing that they can do to help make a difference," Smith explains. "We have seen a small increase in donations over the last week or so, but we are hoping by getting this message out that that will only increase."
Smith says every blood center in the country needs to play a significant role.
Get more information here on where and when you can donate.