FARGO — Vitalant is asking the community to donate blood with winter weather across the country impacting supplies.
They said the cancellation of blood drives has caused more than 1,800 donations to be canceled due to weather across the country so far in 2024, during a time of dire need for all blood types.
There are more than 500 of them in our area after more than 20 blood donation drives were cancelled.
North Dakota's mild winter has reduced impacts in the state, but neighboring states need help, said Tori Robbins, communications director for Vitalant.
“We're seeing some needs in South Dakota, some cancellations there because of the snow and cold temperatures, and also in southern Wyoming, and the northern Colorado area, where a lot of concentration is happening, a lot of cancellations,” Robbins said.
The American Red Cross faces similar problems. They said they have canceled nearly 15,000 blood and platelet donations due to the weather so far this year.