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Urgent plea for blood donations following winter shortages

At least 600 donations were lost due to blood drive cancellations and missed appointments because of snow, ice and cold weather, according to an ImpactLife estimate.

ARNOLD, Mo. — Blood centers have grappled with a massive shortage in early January after winter weather wreaked havoc across several locations.

ImpactLife, a nonprofit blood center with four locations in the Greater St. Louis area, sounded the alarm for urgent blood donations. 

Krystle Wideman, a dedicated mother of three and school teacher, took an unexpected Thursday off to donate blood with her husband at ImpactLife's Arnold location.

"I'm a mom of three, and my kids keep me busy. I'm also a school teacher. We had a random day off, so I told my husband we should donate blood because we saw a shortage," she said.

Wideman, whose family experienced the necessity of blood donations firsthand, said she recognized the importance of regular contributions. 

"I have grandparents that have needed blood. When I had my babies, it was an issue where I needed blood potentially, and so it's always something that ... my husband donates all the time."

Dr. Daniela Hermelin, chief medical officer at ImpactLife, said she was grateful for donors like them and shed light on the current challenges faced by the blood center.

"We have over 500 cancellations, and that has to do with just the major inclement weather that's upon us," Hermelin said, drawing attention to the disruptive impact of brutal winter weather systems on their coverage area.

"We support our community hospitals as well as nationally, so people require blood transfusions daily for such a range of conditions," she added, emphasizing the critical role donors play in sustaining the community's health. 

Hermelin highlighted the immediate need for O blood type, the universal donor. This blood type is particularly vital for patients in trauma and infants.

"We'd like to have a supply of up to seven days, but right now, when we think about critical shortages, we're at a one-and-a-half supply for our O negative and our O positive donors," Hermelin said.

The plea from ImpactLife is clear - the community's support is crucial. 

Hermelin issued a call to action, stating, "If you're feeling healthy today, if you've got transportation, [then] please make an appointment." 

The process, as Wideman attested, is free and not harmful. 

You can see ImpactLife's locations and hours here.

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