The rise in Flu cases may be increasing the number of sick days being used, but it's also decreasing the number of blood donations throughout the state.

Rich Larcombe with United Blood Services of Minot

says over the past few weeks, state-wide mobile blood drive attenDance has dropped between 10 and 20%.

The mobile units account for over 60% of UBS's yearly blood donations.

He says although they haven't experienced any big problems yet, they are expecting some difficulty in the near future, since blood is only usable for 42 days.

Larcombe is hoping for a surge in donations from both healthy regular visitors and first-time donors, and if you've already had your flu shot, he says you're still welcome to contribute.

(Rich Larcombe, United Blood Services) "If you had a flu shot, you can donate blood the same day. Trust me, if you're gonna get the flu shot, go get it, for sure. It's one of those things that, this is affecting the state dramatically, and we need to do something about it. Hopefully, with a little bit of publicity and that, the people that haven't donated before, please, just try it one time."


Larcombe says they will be hosting several mobile blood drives over the next several weeks in Westhope, Donnybrook, Carpio, Makoti, and Towner. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list