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Blood shortage still vexes health care providers

Kelly O'Hare of Vitalant draws blood from Cole Patterson of Butler at a blood drive in 2020. Butler Eagle file photo

Despite improvements earlier in the year, blood services providers and health care facilities are again facing a shortage of blood donations, more than two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This summer saw a dip in blood supplies that has raised concerns for medical professionals.

Kristen Lane, communications manager at the blood services provider Vitalant, said the provider's blood supply overall has shrunk to 200 donors per day, a far cry from the 600 daily donors needed to fully stock area hospitals.

“What we’re suspecting is that since this is really the first summer that people are out and about, everybody is just giddy about going somewhere and traveling,” Lane said. “With so many people traveling and going on vacation and going out, they’re literally not here to donate blood.”

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