While the holidays typically bring a slowdown to blood donations, this winter’s flu epidemic and the cold weather in the southeast cut even deeper into the blood supply. LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is now in emergency need for blood.

Keri Moody, Director of Medical Staff Services at Russellville Hospital said they are aware of the shortage at this time but so far it has not posed problem locally.

“The flu season most definitely affects blood donations,” Moody said. “The shortage right now everywhere is mainly due to the flu.”

Moody said that local donations are very important to their supply and when something like this season’s flu hits hard it can be a problem, but so far it hasn’t been anything serious.

Donation drives such as the one held last week at Russellville High School are important to local supplies and help keep available blood at high levels.

Services such as LifeSouth and the Red Cross are constantly hosting blood drives.

“This is coming at a time when supplies were already low because of reduced donations during the winter holidays,” said LifeSouth Vice President of Operations J.B. Bowles. “Meanwhile, blood usage at many of our hospitals is far above normal, making the shortage even more serious.”

Donations are down 40% from where the supply needs to be to provide hospitals with enough blood for patients. This has especially impacted the supply of Type O blood which is needed most.

“O-negative is the universal blood type that can be used by anyone in emergencies. O-positive can be used by anyone with a positive blood type,” said Bowles. “We are in desperate need of healthy donors to come out and donate blood.”

The Centers for Disease Control reported in early January that 43 states, including Florida, Georgia and Alabama, are experiencing either high or widespread flu activity.

“We are in emergency need. We only use this term when inventory levels are at the very lowest,” explained Bowles. “It means our hospitals have less than a two-day supply and LifeSouth does not have the blood available to resupply the hospitals when that blood is used.”

Moody said in the past strong outbreaks of the flu have influenced local donations.

“Yes, any time there is a bad flu season it affects donations,” Moody said. “Despite the shortage, Russellville Hospital has been able to obtain blood as needed and patient care has not been affected.”

“Please help. Please donate blood,” Bowles said.

Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental consent, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required.