Video: Como Zoo hosts blood drive

Minnesotans lead the nation in blood donations. 

By Katrina Bailey  /  The Hubbard School

Climate change continues to affect blood donation. Heat waves and hurricanes cause blood drives to be canceled and fewer people to give blood. 

According to the American Red Cross, the national blood supply dropped 25% in July. Minnesota is known for having the biggest population of donors in the nation, Red Cross phlebotomist Kim Hamilton said. 

“We're up for the challenge,” Hamilton said. 

The Red Cross travels daily to new destinations to allow people of all kinds to donate. Como Zoo and Conservatory is one of the stops and donor Shauna Bridger agrees. 

"The Red Cross has been fabulous. I have never had a bad experience. They're very professional, very kind,” Bridger said. 

The whole process of giving blood takes less than an hour but can be the difference of a lifetime for the recipient. Donor Noah Petermeier said he has given blood at Como Zoo eight different times. 

"It's a real simple easy thing to do. I mean it goes a long way, everyone is affected by someone who needs blood at some point in their lives so anything you do can really make a difference,” Petermeier said. 

To find the next place to donate blood in the Twin Cities, take a look at the Red Cross website.