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Blood Shortage Could Be Indirectly Tied To The Flu

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - The flu may be now be indirectly causing a shortage of blood.

The Garth Englund Blood Center in Northern Colorado says it's having a critical shortage of blood. In fact, nurses say they couldn't meet the supply if a major trauma event were to happen.

University of Colorado Health, which runs the blood center, has set up call lists begging previous blood owners to donate.

Appointments to donate blood can be made by calling the center in Fort Collins at (970) 495-8965, or its location in Loveland at (970) 624-1550. It's also possible to make appointments online at pvhs.org/bloodcenter.

Walk-in donors are also welcomed. In Loveland, the Garth Englund center is located in MCR; in Fort Collins, 1025 Pennock Place, Suite 104, two blocks north of PVH.

All blood types are needed. The most critical needs are for O Positive and O Negative.

To donate, a person must be at least 18 years old, or 17 with a parent's permission, and show a photo identification. New donors must weigh at least 120 pounds and be in good health. Prior donors must weigh at least 110 pounds.

For other regulations, hours and information about the donation process, go to pvhs.org/bloodcenter.

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