KALISPELL — A blood bank in Kalispell is running low on donations and officials say it's because donors are afraid of contracting coronavirus.
Tesia Hummer with Vitalant North told MTN, Vitalant is the only blood supply center to over thirty hospitals across Montana and Wyoming.
She explained to MTN that in order to supply enough blood, Vitalant needs 150 donors every day.
However, their drives are suffering.
Hummer told MTN that donors are scared to donated because of the cronavirus.
She says not having access to blood could severely effect some of the most vulnerable populations.
"30 percent of blood supply is used for cancer patients. So, if you know someone that's fighting cancer they could have needed blood and it's very likely could have come from Vitalant's blood supply," said Hummer. "In addition, fifty percent of the blood supply goes to people with heart health issues. We also see trauma is a very big usage of blood, as well as treating burn victims, helping people with surgeries."
Hummer adds that donating blood right now at Vitalant is safe.
Vitalant has strict cleaning procedures between each donor and in their lounge.
She encourage people to visit their website to find out how you can be a donor.
