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Blizzard, Spring Break Put Big Dent In Colorado's Blood Supply

DENVER (CBS4) - Last week's spring snowstorm is affecting Colorado's blood supply and Bonfils Blood Center is reporting a severe shortage of certain blood types.

"I come every time I'm available to come," Vickie Westover said.

Westover has donated blood more times than she can count.

"I've been doing it on and off for over 20 years," she said.

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(credit: CBS)

Westover was just one person who donated during this critical time for Bonfils Blood Center.

"Currently we have several factors that are negatively impacting the community blood supply," Taylor Robertson with Bonfils Blood Center said.

Robertson said while numbers are changing daily, they call the overall blood supply severely low.

"We need all blood types but specifically we need O-positive and O-negative," she said.

It's partly due to last week's spring snowstorm that shut down donation sites, which led to the center missing out on nearly 500 donations.

"When we need about 3,000 donations a week, that's a big chunk of our typical supply," Robertson said.

Taylor Robertson with Bonfils Blood Center
Taylor Robertson with Bonfils Blood Center is interviewed by CBS4's Mark Taylor (credit: CBS)

In addition, Robertson says spring break travel has led to a drop in donations.

"So they are not available to donate or if they travel outside the country they are finding when they come back they might be temporarily deferred," she said.

The center hopes better weather this week will lead to a rebound of donations. It's a community service donors like Westover are all too happy to provide.

"It's easy, its simple, its painless, and you get snacks," she said.

Additional Resources

Visit bonfils.org to find a donation center near you.

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