Illness Causes Shortages At Memorial Blood Centers

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Officials with Memorial Blood Centers say they're suffering a significant blood shortage due to winter sickness.

Officials said Thursday that three of the six major blood types, O positive, A positive and A negative, are at dangerously low levels. They said donors who have made appointments to give blood are having to call in sick and cancel their appointments.

The clinic is also not getting enough of its normal walk-in traffic to meet the current blood demand.

Officials said anyone that is feeling healthy is encouraged to come into Memorial Blood Centers to give blood. There are 11 facilities throughout the Twin Cities metro area and Wisconsin.