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Blood Donations Plummet After Holidays

By: Cassidy Hodges

Updated: January 3, 2013

The holidays have passed and now is the time hospitals are low on blood supplies. January is national blood donor month for a reason, with the hopes of making more donors to fill the shelves in places like the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks.

"There's no substitute for blood we have to have it to save lives on the shelf ready to go when that emergency happens," says Lora Witcher, a Donor Recruiter with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks.

After the holidays, she says donations plummet.

"There's a lot of travel going on people are out and about more they're not thinking about donating," says Witcher.

But that doesn't mean the demand decreases.

"Community Blood Center is the only supplier of blood in Northwest Arkansas. We completely supply blood to all 9 area hospitals here and we have to have close to 250 donations every single day just to keep up with the demands of our hospitals."

Lora Witcher, recruits blood donors and says it's not something people stroll in to do.

"Most the time if someones a donor they've been asked by a friend or family member, 'Come with me and donate Blood.'"

A lot of people just don't love needles, but no matter what, Witcher says the fight to keep shelves stocked is an everyday battle.

"There's no substitute for human blood and people that donate blood know that. They know it's a precious and rare gift and we have to get it from other people."

So if you're thinking about becoming a donor, there's not a lot you need to prepare.

"You need to be feeling well and healthy first of all. You need to hydrate yourself before coming in. You need to have an ID with you. You need to weigh 110 pounds," says Witcher.

By giving blood, folks are saving lives right here in Northwest Arkansas.

"It is something that does take a little time out of your day and donors are just amazing. They have big hearts and they like to give to the community."

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