GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Vitalant is making an emergency appeal to blood donors as blood supply shortages have reached a critical stage. Vitalant is seeing 20% fewer donors overall and that number is higher in the Butte County area as they strive to return to pre-pandemic levels.  

Blood usage by hospital patients has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but blood collections and donations have not, and it is not a sustainable situation.  Business-hosted blood drives are down by 50% from 2019, and winter weather conditions across the country have caused donations to go uncollected.

While over 60% of the population is eligible to donate blood, only about 3% do.  There is no artificial substitute for blood.  It is perishable–it has a shelf life, and so regular blood donation is needed.

A blood drive will be held Tuesday, January 31 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 400 Spruce Street in Gridley from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Refreshments will be provided.  Vitalant urges donors to make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org.  Donors 16 and 17 years old can donate with parent permission–please fill out the form in person.  Eat well and drink plenty of fluids the day of donation.