The winter weather is also causing problems with the local blood supply.

The Red Cross is issuing a call for donations.

January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month.

According to officials at the Red Cross, January is the month that presents the most challenges in recruiting people to give blood and platelets.

Now, the Red Cross is in urgent need of donors.

Changing weather, busy holiday schedules, increased cold and flu symptoms and even the winter blues can keep blood donors from making or keeping an appointment to give.

Due to snowy weather in December, many school and business-based blood drives were canceled and the new year is starting on the downside with donations.

Blood donations are down 10 percent so far this year.

“There are so many unpredictable factors at play that can affect the blood supply during January. It’s a critical time to remind the public of the need for more donors,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager for the American Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region. “If you are in good health, now is the time to share that good health with patients in need.”

The severe winter storm that hit the East Coast has affected blood donations, drives and supplies in those areas. since the American Red Cross works as a network, the drop has also affected the Fay-West region.

“We need to try to replenish the supplies now,” American Red Cross Regional Communications Manager Marianne Spampinato said. “The situation in the East affected the pool of resources that help the need here.”

Spampinato said the winter weather affects planned drives, especially those planned at high schools, vocational and trade schools and colleges.

“One quarter of the blood that we collect over a year comes from these drives,” Spampinato said.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. most healthy people age 17 and older or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

Presently, all blood types are needed.

Spampinato hopes that this month’s National Volunteer Blood Donor Month will result in more first-time donors and regular donors who may add one more trip to a drive.

“On an average, those who donate, donate 1.7 times a year,” Spampinato said, “The typical donor gives once or twice a year. if we could get more first-time donors to come out, and have those who do donate come out that one extra time, we’d be in a great position to weather the winter season better.”

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