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ImpactLife blood donations plummet due to winter storms

The blood donation center estimates a loss of 700 donations this week thanks to the cold and snow. They're asking anyone who can safely travel to sign up and donate.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — A string of winter snowstorms this week has taken a big hit on ImpactLife's local blood supply, leading the donation center to ask all who can safely travel to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. 

To make a donation, you can call (800) 747-5401 or schedule an appointment online by clicking here. You can also use the ImpactLife mobile app.  

High winds, several days of snow and frigid temperatures have all led to hundreds of cancellations and missed appointments so far. ImpactLife said on Friday, Jan. 12, it had to completely close a Donor Center location in Galesburg, Illinois, and at least five of the day's blood drives. 

ImpactLife estimates a loss of 700 donations the week of Jan. 8-12 due to the elements.

In a press release, Kirby Winn, ImpactLife's public relations manager said the local centers have been at a one-day and 1.5-day supply of type O-positive and O-negative red blood cells this week. B-positive and B-negative red blood cells and platelets from all blood types are also now at critical levels. 

On a more positive note, during a break between the storms on Thursday, Jan. 11, ImpactLife saw a strong donor turnout to help fill in some of those critical gaps before Friday's weather hit. 

"We saw 854 donors register to give blood across our entire service region on Thursday. That level of support will certainly help, but we are again seeing the impact of winter weather on blood collection," Winn said in a release. 

ImpactLife is asking all eligible donors who can safely travel to make an appointment as soon as possible, to help ensure the ability to meet patient and hospital needs. Much of the blood ImpactLife collects here in the QCA goes back to local hospitals. 

Winn joined The Current on News 8 to discuss the blood donation shortage and the local impact of giving blood. You can watch the full interview in the above video. 

Tune into The Current from 4 to 5 p.m. on weekdays to catch even more live interviews impacting you, your family and your hometown as well as all of the biggest headlines of the day. 

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