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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Severe Winter Weather, Flu Season Hurting Ohio Blood Supplies

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Wednesday, February 18, 2015   

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The snow, ice and freezing temperatures that recently descended upon Ohio and other parts of the country are having a serious impact on the nation's blood supply.

Blood donations are down by about 10 percent across the country, said Rodney Wilson, communications manager for the American Red Cross in central Ohio.

"We've seen about 350 Red Cross blood drives that have been cancelled because of severe winter weather across 25 states," Wilson said, "and that's caused a national deficit of nearly 12,000 blood donations."

There typically is a decline in blood supplies during the winter months, Wilson said, and blood banks typically plan blood drives in advance to ensure that hospitals receive needed supplies. But he said the series of strong winter storms has prevented the Red Cross and others from the ability to make-up missed donations.

The flu and cold season also prevents folks from donating blood during the winter months. Wilson said the Red Cross needs people who are healthy and feeling well to come in and donate, even if they never have before.

"The reality is every two seconds someone in the United States receives a blood transfusion," he said. "There's lots of reasons why someone might need blood, and there's really no reason to not give."

Those donating blood must be in good health, weigh at least 116 pounds and be age 17 or older - or 16 with parental consent.

Information on blood drives is online at redcrossblood.org.


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