NEW: United Blood Service short on blood after storm

By Ryan Woodard | Saturday, April 29, 2006

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Journal Staff Writer

RAPID CITY - The recent blizzard in northwestern South Dakota knocked out power, killed livestock and caused millions of dollars in damage. It also hindered United Blood Service’s blood collections.

“We’re down, just this month, over 200 units due to the weather difficulties,” said Alexa Grant, donor recruitment representative for the local United Blood Service in Rapid City, which serves 23 hospitals in South Dakota and parts of Wyoming and Nebraska.

She said the local branch had to cancel three Rapid City high school drives, which cost them 160 units, and a drive at Ellsworth Air Force Base because of the storm. In addition, a drive in Sturgis had to be rescheduled, and one in the Nebraska was hindered by the weather.

Some of those drives might be rescheduled, she said, but that doesn’t always bring as many donors.

“Often times drives can be rescheduled, but they don’t bring in as many donors,” Grant said. “If the drives are rescheduled right away, many of the people scheduled to come in have made plans.”

The blood service was already down in donations for the year, and the recent storm only made things worse, Grant said.

“It has been a big loss, and our collections have been down for the year because a lot of our drives this year have come in with fewer units.”

That is why Grant encourages people, especially those with O positive, O negative and A negative, to donate.

“We are always looking for new donors,” she said. “When we have a weather issue like this we really need new donors to come out and help us replace that loss.”

Blood drives occur regularly in Rapid City and the surrounding area. In addition, donors can walk in to the local office, at 2209 W. Omaha St., which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Grant said the blood service is also looking for local businesses to host blood drives this summer. Those who are interested in hosting a drive or setting up a donation can call the blood service at 342-8585.

“Our focus is on getting more people educated on the need for blood,” Grant said. “Eighty percent of the population will use blood at some time, and someone needs blood every three seconds.”

Contact Ryan Woodard at 394-8412 or ryan.woodard@rapidcityjournal.com