Dr. Sarah Ilstrup is the clinical pathology medical director for Intermountain Health and the transfusion medicine service medical director for Intermountain Medical Center
(PRUnderground) January 16th, 2026
The American Red Cross of Utah says the nation’s blood supply is dangerously close to a shortage this winter. As January marks National Blood Donor Month, a time to honor and recognize the lifesaving impact of blood donors, Intermountain Health wants to encourage public action to ensure hospitals have the necessary blood supplies for patient care.
“We’re asking that Utahns step up and donate this winter. It’s vital that we have enough blood to treat patients who are undergoing surgeries and procedures, as well as trauma patients who are brought in from the scene of an accident who are fighting for their lives,” said Sarah Ilstrup, MD, clinical pathology medical director for Intermountain Health and transfusion medicine service medical director for Intermountain Medical Center.
Although only 3% of the people donate blood between 37% and 62 % of the population is eligible to do so, depending on the source.
Here are six things Intermountain Health wants the public to know about blood donation:
1. Winter shortages are real. The winter season poses unique challenges for maintaining an adequate blood supply. Adverse weather conditions, seasonal illnesses such as the flu, and the busy post-holiday period often result in fewer blood donors. These factors can significantly impact the availability of blood products, making it harder to meet the needs of emergency care, surgeries, and ongoing treatments for cancer and chronic illnesses.
2. Every donation saves multiple lives. One whole blood donation can help multiple patients when separated into its specific components of red cells, plasma, and platelets.
3. Urgent need for Type O. While all blood types are needed, Type O (both O positive and O negative) are in high demand. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first to be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage.
“It is the blood type used for the majority of our trauma patients,” said Dr. Ilstrup. “Type O negative is the universal donor blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is a no time to determine the blood type of female and pediatric patients in the most serious situations.”
Type O positive is the most common blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.
4. Whole Blood Study. Intermountain Medical Center is currently participating in a pilot study with the West Valley Fire Department to provide prehospital transfusion with a unit of O positive whole blood.
By delivering whole blood in the field, EMS providers can now initiate resuscitation sooner, significantly improving patients’ chances of survival.
“We would like to expand this program to other agencies, but in order to support an expansion of prehospital transfusion we will need additional O positive and O negative blood donors,” said Dr. Ilstrup.
5. Every second counts. – Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood or platelet transfusion for surgeries, cancer treatment, or chronic illnesses like sickle cell disease.
Blood is also perishable and cannot be stockpiled, packed red blood cells have a shelf life of about 42 days and O whole blood has a shelf life of 21 days, so it must constantly be replenished by generous blood donors.
There is strong data that shows that providing blood products as soon as possible in the bleeding patient increases the likelihood of that patient surviving.
Additional studies show that there is an increase in the odds of death of 2-11% for every minute of delay in receiving blood products.
6. 1 in 4 blood donors is new. Thinking about donating blood for the first time? You can start a life-saving habit today! After your first donation you’ll be eligible to give again every 56 days (about eight weeks), helping patients all year long.
“Intermountain Health is dedicated to ensuring that our communities have access to the blood products required for patient care,” said Dr. Ilstrup. “We urge all eligible and healthy individuals to schedule a blood donation appointment to help maintain a stable blood supply during these critical winter months.”
To schedule an appointment, go to: RedCrossBlood.org or www.utahblood.org
About Intermountain Health
Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 33 hospitals, over 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://news.intermountainhealth.org/. For more information, see intermountainhealth.org/ or call 801-442-2000.
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