Listen in MP3 format

Because of the cold temperatures and snow, some area blood drives have been cancelled, leaving blood reserves below the normal level. KSMU’s Matt Evans has more.

Ice and snow in the Ozarks have forced many events to be cancelled, including blood drives. Because of these cancelled blood drives, the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks has had to issue a “code yellow” alert for all negative blood types. Chris Pilgrim is a spokesperson for the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks.

“A code yellow alert simply means we have less than a two day supply of blood on hand for use on patients in 37 area hospitals.”

Some negative blood types are at less than fifty percent of normal stock levels. Pilgrim says just because the blood drives have been cancelled doesn’t mean people can’t give blood. Both of the blood donor centers in Springfield - the Campbell and Glenstone locations - are operating at normal hours.

“If you have been waiting to give blood, now is the time because after several months of ample supply, we really need your help right now.”

Pilgrim hopes to see more traffic at those blood donor centers, but says if the weather conditions worsen, the blood reserves could become even lower.

“If things get worse or if conditions continue to deteriorate next week, we could see a code red level, which means there is less than a day’s supply of blood.”

Usually, the blood center operates with three days’ worth of blood in reserves, so storms can quickly affect supply levels. Pilgrim says the blood center is trying to reschedule the cancelled blood drives. The majority of the blood collected by the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks comes from blood drives.

For KSMU News, I’m Matt Evans.

Related Items: