Nebraska has been declared to be in a blood emergency, which means there is three days or less of a certain blood type’s supply. The blood types Nebraska’s blood blanks are longing for are O positive and O negative. 

Research shows many hospitals are saying that the rate of donors they have seen post-covid has declined massively. 

Blood banks encountered many obstacles during covid as the need for blood was still persistent, but everyone was sick and we needed to social distance.

Hospitals have seen half the number of blood drives this year in comparison to previous years. 

Winter has also proven to be a factor, as many hospitals see less donors when winter weather kicks up. This happens because blood drives can get canceled in response to poor weather, but many people just do not want to leave the house. 

In February, the Nebraska blood bank received less than three thousand donations. The bank needs to receive at least four thousand donations a month in order to stay afloat. 

This is a serious issue, as blood donations are crucial to keeping many Nebraskans healthy. 

Donated blood is commonly used for traumatic injuries, giving birth, surgery, cancer treatments, etc.

Nebraska blood banks are pushing hard for more people to donate. Some hospitals have even said they’re thinking about ways to incentivize donations.

So, let’s donate! There are blood drives going on daily. Visit @ https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D11557788565028954421544815833639735588%7CMCORGID%3D723A22C757518E2C7F000101%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1679326535 to find a drive!