The St. Mary's Regional Blood Center in Grand Junction is nearing 'crisis levels' on their supply of some blood types. Now is the time to donate.

For the last few weeks, I've posted about the low supply on O Positive blood. I received a couple of emails from the blood center asking me to donate. I'm O Positive, and donate frequently. Since that time, supplies have dropped with other blood types.

At present, the blood center is low on:

  • O Positive
  • O Negative
  • A Positive
  • A Negative

According to KJCT 8, the St. Mary's Regional Blood Center usually gets about 250 units per week. This last week, donations were roughly half of that. A "crisis" level would be about 10% less than current supplies.

If we don't start getting a response by next week, then I'll need to send a crisis type of message. We're not there yet, we're trying to stay in front of crisis, but we are at the lowest levels I'm comfortable with. - Jennifer Rhamy - director of the Regional Blood Center

Have you donated blood before? If not, let me assure you, it's one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do. This list has been published many times before, but maybe it's time to run it again. These are my top five reasons why you should donate blood.

5. It's painless. Seriously, it doesn't hurt. Yeah, they have to poke a finger with a little needle to get a sample, and that's kind of a drag. Aside from that, you hardly notice anything.

4. The people at the blood bank are awesome.

3. You really do get free orange juice and cookies!

2. You never know when you might need blood. Wouldn't it give you peace of mind to know there was blood waiting should you need it?

1. You literally are saving a life. How many times today will somebody need blood right here in Grand Junction? How about around the country? Will it be someone you know? A family member? Be proactive! Emergencies happen without warning, but that doesn't mean you can't be prepared.

I hate to be a creep, but the last two times I donated I had the place all to myself. Look at those empty chairs in the photo at top. My dad is going in for surgery in the next couple of weeks, and it's imperative a healthy blood supply be on hand. Unfortunately, I just donated, and as a result, won't be eligible to donate again for another couple of months. He is O Positive. Now is not the time for that blood type to be in short supply.

Stop by the St. Mary's Regional Blood Center at 750 Wellington Ave., Entrance 22, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. I typically walk in around 2 p.m. and have the place pretty much to myself. If you can't make it to the blood center, the Bloodmobile is out and about. Now's the time. Save a life and donate blood.

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