FAYETTEVILLE — Blood donations are always down right after the holiday season, but this year the flu outbreak has made the shortage much worse.
The problem is two-fold. Many regular donors either have the flu or they do not have enough time during the day to donate because of the outbreak.
"There's so many people that have these illnesses. If we call them at work to donate someone might be well, but then they're short-staffed because of people who are out sick [so] that they can't come in either," says donor coordinator Mary Fisher.
Local centers say their donations are down by about 5 percent compared with this time in years past.
Blood banks need type O blood the most because, in an emergency, anyone can receive that type.
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