GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - There’s a critical blood shortage and blood donations are being distributed to hospital patients faster than donors are giving. Vitalant currently has less than a four-day supply of most blood types available, and less than a two-day supply of type O blood. They strive to always keep a four-day supply on hand to meet the needs of patients every day and be prepared for emergencies that would require significant volumes of donated blood products. In an emergency, it’s the blood already on hospital shelves that saves lives.

Blood drives are hosted each fifth Tuesday by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the gym at the meetinghouse at 400 Spruce Street in Gridley. Donors 16 and 17 can donate with parent permission. Please call Kathy Sannar at 530-570-8144 to make an appointment.  Eat well and drink plenty of fluids on the day of donation.