UP experiences critical need for blood

UPPER PENINSULA — The Upper Peninsula is experiencing a shortage of O-, A+, A-, and B- blood types.

The UP Regional Blood Center is hosting blood drives across the UP in an effort to decrease the current need for these blood types.

The Regional Blood Center is the UP’s primary blood supplier. Taking a few minutes to donate can be a tremendous help to someone in need of blood.

“We definitely need people to start donating to help with the blood supply for the 13 hospitals in the UP,” said Blood Collection Coordinator Rachel Heath. “We really hope people will start coming out to our blood drives give the gift of life.”

Heath assures anyone thinking about donating blood that it is safe to do so, despite the ongoing pandemic. Equipment is sanitized between donations, and donors are physically separated to prevent possible infection.