blood

(Runtime 1:00) Blood banks in the Northwest reported a drop in blood donations early this year due to cold weather and poor driving conditions. That kept…

Many blood banks have dangerously low supplies. Rachel Sun reports.

More gay and bisexual men are now eligible to donate blood. Health reporter Rachel Sun explains that’s thanks to updated screening questions that are used for all patients, regardless of sexuality.

Over the course of this year, you've no doubt heard about labor shortages throughout the economy. Waiters are scarce. Hospitals are short-staffed. There are not enough snow plow drivers. Add another job category to the list. It's an important one: blood collectors.

The two biggest blood networks in the Northwest say the region's blood supply is suffering a critical shortage.The American Red Cross calls it a blood "emergency." Bloodworks Northwest said its supply of some blood types has dwindled to a critical low of less than one days' worth.