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Blood supply in our area at critical levels, Vitalant asking for donations

PITTSBURGH — The blood supply is so low in our region that we are now at critical levels, and Vitalant is asking for donations to bring them back up.

Two-hundred blood drives were canceled because of the coronavirus. Those cancellations resulted in the loss of 9,000 units of blood.

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Now that elective surgeries are resuming, Vitalant officials are worried they don't have enough blood.

"It's really important that we have enough blood here in our community. We supply all of the blood to Allegheny Health Network and UPMC hospitals. If those hospitals don't have enough blood, they won't be able to care for their patients," said Kristen Lane with Vitalant.

Vitalant is asking people to make an appointment. They are following CDC guidelines for social distancing and are even taking donors' temperatures.

To make an appointment call 877-25-VITAL or visit their website here.