Since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Montana, blood banks saw a drop in donors and as a result, a shortage in the blood supply for hospitals around the state.
In March, Vitalant Blood Donation’s donor recruitment manager, Erin Baker, said Vitalant has had to cancel 15 mobile donation units, which caused a loss of 280 donors.
One month after a major blood shortage in Montana, Baker states that she is happy to see that the community has come together to help sustain the blood supply.
“The community support has been amazing. We are truly very thankful for it. It’s great to be a part of a community that can step up like that, and now we just need to be able to maintain,” Baker states.
So far, the supply of blood at local hospitals are adequate but, Baker encourages people in the community to continue to donate blood to prevent any further blood shortages.
According to the American Red Cross, people are still encouraged to give blood since it’s not associated with transmitting of the COVID-19 virus.
For information on how to donate visit Vitalant.org or call at (877) 258-4825.
