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The recent winter weather has resulted in cancelled blood drives, which has taken a toll on the donor blood supply.

According to the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, more than 68 blood drives in the region have been cancelled due to winter weather. The cancellations have resulted in the blood center losing out on over 2,200 donations.

Spokesperson for the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center Anna McFarland says a single donation can be a help in a variety of ways, “You’re potentially helping up to three people with that one donation. You’re really helping those local patients at our area hospitals who need that transfusion that goes to cancer patients, it goes to burn victims, trauma patients. Blood is always needed regardless of what’s going on with the weather and time of year. Just one person coming in over their lunch hour can impact numerous people and their family.”

McFarland adds that the whole process takes about an hour with five minutes being dedicated to blood withdrawal. There are blood drives scheduled in Washington, Mt. Pleasant, Swedesburg, and Wayland yet this month, visit the KCII Community Calendar at KCIIRadio.com for details.

To find a donation location near you, call (800) 747-5401 or visit bloodcenterimpact.org.