Memorial Blood Centers issuing a plea for blood donors during this critical time over the holidays.
During the holiday season, blood donations drop off by nearly 20%. That's why the M Health Fairview Hospital in Southdale is hosting a holiday blood drive Friday.
Nurse supervisor Luke Vang says certain blood types are especially in need.
"Really looking for the critical blood types, O types, so that's O positive and O negative donors," says Vang. "Those are the more universal blood types, especially O negative. Anyone can receive an O negative blood type for a transfusion."
Last year, Memorial Blood Centers saw nearly a 25% drop in donations during the holidays.
"We're really looking towards the community to really help and fill our blood supplies so that we can support our hospitals locally, and support even nationally when needed," Vang explained. "But so far for this current drive, it sounds like they've been pretty busy as of this morning, so glad to have our community really taking that call to action."
Vang says Memorial Blood Centers are constantly accepting blood at a variety of donation centers across Minnesota so if you can't make it Friday, there are other opportunities to help.
The blood drive at Southdale runs until 4:30 Friday afternoon.