Following weeks of declining blood donations, the United States Surgeon General released a warning this week (July 27, 2026) that the nation’s blood supply has fallen far below the level needed to meet demand….and it continues to decline at an alarming rate.
The situation is so dire that for only the second time ever, the American Red Cross has declared a National Blood Supply Crisis.
Abbie Arneson with LifeServe Blood Center says blood donations are urgently needed– and they’re needed immediately.
Arneson says all it takes is one event and the blood supply could be gone.
Arneson says this type of shortage has a negative affect on patient care.
Arneson says LifeServe is asking eligible blood donors to make an appointment to give at one of their donor centers or at a mobile blood drive in their area within the next week. The LifeServe Donor Center in Pierre is located at 1908 N. Garfield Avenue, Suite E, in the Larkspur Landing building.
To find a blood donation location or if you have questions about whether or not you’re able to donate, go to lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 800-287-4903.
With each donation of whole blood having the potential to save three lives, 2500 fewer donations translates into the potential for 7500 people in the LifeServe service area that could be negatively affected.
LifeServe is a non-profit, community-based blood center that provides all of the blood and blood products for all Avera hospitals, including the ones in Pierre and Gettysburg.
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