Right now there is a national blood shortage. On January 7th, 2024 the American Red Cross declared an emergency. The ARC reported the lowest amount of blood donations in 20 years. According to the Oklahoma Blood Institute time and weather are the biggest factors for this decrease in blood donations. 

Jacklyn Chappell the Public Relations Manager of Oklahoma Blood Institute said that “the holidays and the time directly after is when finding donors tends to get tricky. During the holidays, our donors are out of their usual routines.”  She went on to further explain that “people are shopping and spending time with family, meaning they’re probably not thinking about the blood supply. Because of this, we see a decrease in donation appointments.”

Here is how you can help. First you can donate blood either at a standalone Oklahoma Blood Institute or at place that partners with an organization, such as Norman Regional. Norman Regional host quarterly blood drives at their main locations.