Minnesota’s blood bank donations are at a 10-year low. Red Cross spokeswoman Tonia Teasley says many people are not donating because they are worried about their own health during the coronavirus pandemic. Teasley says across the region blood donations are down 10 percent.

One way you can help is to donate at the Redwood Falls blood drive this month. It’s being held at the Redwood Area Community Center on Monday, Jan. 17 and Tuesday Jan 18 from 12 noon until 6 p.m.

Sue Thesenga, regional communications manager for the American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, said current blood supplies are at historically low levels, dangerous levels. Thesenga called it the worst blood shortage in more than a decade. She said the Red Cross’s donation facilities prefer to have a three- to five-day supply of blood on hand to be shipped out to hospitals.

In recent weeks, the Red Cross has often been down to a one-day supply or less. That means Minnesota hospitals are sometimes not able to secure enough blood for their standard operations, forcing them to make difficult decisions about whether certain procedures can happen.

If you would like to make an appointment to donate at the Redwood Falls blood drive this coming Jan. 17 and 18, call Paulette Kosel at 507-829-0383.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)