Alabama faces critical blood shortage; community urged to donate [Video]

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Alabama is experiencing a severe shortage of blood supplies, prompting urgent calls for donations.

During the summer, donations typically decrease and this year, Angela Williams, District Community Development Coordinator for LifeSouth Community Blood Center says 25% of their donors are students. But with school out, they’re losing much needed donations. She says this year, the situation has reached a critical level.

“We have like a one to two days supply of blood for our local hospitals,” said Williams. “So we really need donors to come out and donate with us right now.”

Major healthcare facilities like Mobile Infirmary, Springhill Medical Center and USA Health University Hospital depend on places like LifeSouth to ensure they have enough blood to treat patients dealing with traumas, cancers, and chronic illnesses.

“Just the other day we were at a blood drive and we met this young lady and she got on the …