Blood supplies across the region have dropped to roughly one day’s worth on hand, with O-negative , O-positive and platelet donations at critically low levels, prompting Our Blood Institute to import blood from the East Coast to meet hospital demand.

The shortage underscores the life-saving role of donor blood in trauma situations. On April 5, Little Rock resident Katie McClanahan was trapped under a fallen tree, suffering a shattered pelvis and internal bleeding. Thanks to first responders and the availability of O-type blood, she received four units on the scene, stabilizing her for hospital transport, where she received more than 30 additional units of blood products.

“Donor blood, along with about a hundred other acts of God, saved my life that day,” McClanahan said. O-negati

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