Blood Emergency Declared For Over 50 Minnesota Hospitals

Memorial Blood Centers is sounding the alarm, declaring a blood emergency for the state of Minnesota. Declaring a blood emergency isn't taken lightly. Hospitals across the state are facing critically low levels of blood donations, and that means they have less than a two-day supply of blood for patients in Minnesota hospitals.

40% Post-Holiday Decline In Blood Donations

The Memorial Blood Center says factors like seasonal illness, cold winter weather, and holiday disruptions have caused a lack of donations. There were 1,100 fewer donations over the holiday season because Christmas Day and New Year's Day fell on historically high collection days.

Flu and other seasonal illnesses have also spiked in the region, which severely limits donor turnout.

Blood donations are used for many life-saving treatments. Trauma care, surgeries, and cancer treatments use blood donations, and blood has a limited shelf life, meaning donors are consistently needed.

Blood Drive Downtown Duluth January 21st

The Donate Downtown coalition is hosting a blood drive for Memorial Blood Centers in Downtown Duluth on January 21st. The mobile blood drive will be in front of 212 W Superior Street from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM.

The Donate Downtown coalition consists of businesses in Downtown Duluth, including ALLETE, APEX, Enbridge, Giant, Lake Superior Consulting, LHB, Maurices, MPECU, and Northwestern Mutual.

Giant owner and Memorial Blood Center Advisory Board Member Jena Mertz will be speaking at a press conference on Wednesday about how lifesaving these donations are.

“I am so honored to both donate blood and speak about the impact of donation during National Volunteer Blood Donor Month,” said Mertz. “My family understands firsthand how lifesaving these donations are—our daughter, Lucie, relied on more than 180 blood donations throughout her medical journey, and she would not be here without the generosity of donors.”

Register to donate for the downtown blood drive at MBC. You can also schedule a donation at MBC.org.

Memorial Blood Centers supports over 55 Minnesota hospitals. In Northeast Minnesota alone, 500 donors are needed per week to keep up with hospital demand.