DOVER — A shortage of blood in Delaware has extended into January 2022, which is National Blood Donor Month, as the Blood Bank of Delmarva makes the call for more donors.

The region’s blood supply continues to be threatened by low donor turnout and blood drive cancellations due to surging levels of COVID omicron cases.

“A strong blood supply is essential and can be threatened at any time with emergencies such as the unprecedented snowstorm our region saw this past Monday, which caused blood drive cancellations,” said Patty Killeen, senior executive director at BBD.

“National Blood Donor Month is a great time to sign up to donate blood and start the year by giving back, especially in the wake of this extreme weather and ongoing blood shortage.”

BBD officials said that schools that had begun to reinstate student blood drives are once again canceling, perpetuating the dramatic decline in youth and first-time donors.

Prior to the pandemic, 25% of annual blood donations were made at high schools and colleges, but the threat of a return to remote learning is making it nearly impossible for them to commit to hosting blood drives.

Winter is always a challenging time of year for the blood supply, as holiday plans and travel make donating blood less of a priority and wintry weather can lead to blood drive cancellations.

This year, those seasonal challenges are coinciding with a new wave of the pandemic.

Blood centers across the country are and have been suffering from shortages since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020.

The BBD said that donating blood is safe, and it has taken extra precautions to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19.

As always, people are not eligible to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms.

Donors can schedule appointments by calling 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 or visiting www.delmarvablood.org.