Minnesota Memorial Blood Centers have declared a blood emergency. This comes ahead of the Thanksgiving and broader holiday season when donations usually drop by about 20 percent.
Memorial Blood Center Community Relations Manager Phil Losacker says the need is more crucial than ever before amid a national blood shortage.
"The national blood supply has been, you know, not as healthy as it as it was prior to COVID-19," says Losacker. "But when you throw in national disasters like hurricanes and flooding, those affect particular area's ability to collect blood. And they look to other blood centers around the country to help out."
He added that their blood centers are specifically in need of Type O blood, which is crucial for emergencies and trauma care.
Phil Losacker says during the holiday season, one of the the best gifts you can give is blood.
"It's a gift you can give to the community, and patients in hospitals rely on, on that gift," Losacker explains. "It's one thing I think people should put on their holiday gift giving list."
He says new donors will help their blood centers maintain their commitment to providing over 125,000 units of blood to Minnesotans every year.