Submitted Photo Katey Diaz with Vitalant works with a donor at a blood drive at Scheels in Dakota Square Mall Monday.

Vitalant, which supplies donated blood to 88 hospitals in its North Dakota, South Dakota and Western Minnesota region, announced that it has a critical blood shortage. The nonprofit organization is urging eligible donors to make appointments to replenish the blood supply in the coming days and weeks.

With communities re-opening from the pandemic, travel resuming and patients seeking previously postponed medical care, Vitalant has less than a needed four-day supply of most blood types to meet patient needs at a moment’s notice. Type O blood is below a two-day supply. Type O is often used in trauma situations, especially type O negative, because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type in an emergency room setting.

Blood donations fell more than 4,000 short of the need in May, while the need for blood has increased, according to Vitalant. Blood drive cancellations forced by COVID-19 challenges continue to affect donation rates. Anticipated uncollected donations from business-hosted blood drive cancellations reached a four-month high of more than 6,200 blood donations in June.

Blood collections in Minot help serve the need across the state, including Trinity Hospital.

To learn more and schedule an appointment to donate, visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). Those who received a Food and Drug Administration-authorized COVID-19 vaccine can give blood immediately if other eligibility requirements are met.