Community Blood Services needs donations
Updated: February 12, 2013
URBANA -- More people with the flu means fewer people are donating blood. Community Blood Services (CBS) says its supplies aren't critically low, but they aren't where they'd like them to be. That's why they're trying to get you to donate. WCIA-3's Erica Quednau has more.
"Every year it's classic that blood centers see donations decline around the last part of December," said Pat Covar, president of CBS.
And, one week into February isn't changing that fact.
"January is National Blood Donor month for a reason. It's trying to replenish supplies after that holiday decline. What we're seeing this year is a slower replenishment than normal," said Covar.
He says the donation decrease is because of flu season. Many people who used to fill these bags with blood and platelets are home sick.
"We'd like to have a couple of days of supply just to be comfortable because we do have weekends, we have days where it snows, things like that," said Covar.
Comfortable for him is a five-day supply. Right now, there's enough for about three.
"We need blood donors basically every day right now. We'd like to see a few more than we normally need every day just because we're still trying to replenish supplies," said Covar.
Blood donations are given to hospitals in Central Illinois.
Blood Donation
Community Blood Services
1408 University Avenue, Urbana
"Every year it's classic that blood centers see donations decline around the last part of December," said Pat Covar, president of CBS.
And, one week into February isn't changing that fact.
"January is National Blood Donor month for a reason. It's trying to replenish supplies after that holiday decline. What we're seeing this year is a slower replenishment than normal," said Covar.
He says the donation decrease is because of flu season. Many people who used to fill these bags with blood and platelets are home sick.
"We'd like to have a couple of days of supply just to be comfortable because we do have weekends, we have days where it snows, things like that," said Covar.
Comfortable for him is a five-day supply. Right now, there's enough for about three.
"We need blood donors basically every day right now. We'd like to see a few more than we normally need every day just because we're still trying to replenish supplies," said Covar.
Blood donations are given to hospitals in Central Illinois.
Blood Donation
Community Blood Services
1408 University Avenue, Urbana
