Layoffs lead to fewer corporate blood donors in United States

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Blood donation centers in some areas are noticing a pattern: corporate drives are attracting fewer donors, and they believe it's because of the economy.

It's not a problem everywhere, and the nation's overall blood supply is adequate to cover local shortages. In many cases, a majority of the blood is donated during workplace drives. But when workers are laid off or aren't replaced after retirements and buyouts, there are fewer donors.

For example, a spokeswoman from the Badger-Hawkeye Red Cross in Wisconsin says 33 corporate drives were canceled from June through August, resulting in 1,700 fewer units collected.

The American Red Cross says some businesses have had to hold fewer blood drives or even cancel them because of staffing issues.