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News Brief

May 15, 2019Maryville, MO |  By: Lily Lopez

Blood shortage sparks another emergency blood drive

Northern Missouri continues to operate in a blood shortage. The First United Methodist Church and Community Blood Center will be hosting a blood drive later this month in response to a blood emergency that has been declared. Executive Director for the Community Blood Center, David Graham, says the blood supplies tend to dip this time of year but additional factors have affected the blood supply.

"The hard winter that we had that forced the cancellation of many blood drives.  So our inventory was already lower coming into the month than it had in the past, so we had to declare a blood emergency as we saw that our blood inventory levels were dipping dangerously low.  Certainly make sure all the hospitals have the products they need."

Graham emphasizes the importance of donating blood.

"There is no substitute for blood other than volunteers giving of their time and of themselves.  There's nothing I can think more of that you can do as directly and give of yourself that is truly going to impact someone's life.  A patient in a hospital is going to receive the blood that you donate and it's going to make a difference in health care."

The blood drive is set for Tuesday, May 28th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church located at 102 North Main St.  A photo I.D. is required to give blood and people are encouraged to eat well and drink plenty of fluids before donating blood. For more information or to make an appointment, call 877-468-6844 or visit savealifenow.org.