Blood donations at dangerously low levels in Nebraska, nationwide

Published

11 months ago

January 18, 2024

Blood donations at dangerously low levels in Nebraska, nationwide

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Blood donations are at devastatingly low levels, leading some blood banks to declare emergency shortages.

It’s an issue in Nebraska and nationwide.

“We have not declared a blood emergency however we do have critical levels less than a 3-day supply of our overall blood supply,” said Kari Lundeen with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank.

Lundeen told 6 News they’ve seen an increase in blood shortages in the last couple of years. They need a 7-day supply to be fully stocked.

“We’ve seen a decline in donors really since 2016,” Lundeen said. “The pandemic of course did not help that decline in donors, mostly in our first-time donors and youth donors.”

The pandemic also stopped informational events, which were a primary way to encourage people to donate. Over the years, the FDA has also added new thresholds for blood donors.

“It’s really just educating people on the need for blood,” Lundeen said.

Scott Dobberpuhl gave blood Thursday. He’s donated at the Nebraska Community Blood Center eight times.

“It’s something I started in high school since the red cross would come or another blood bank would come,” Dobberpuhl said.

And, he won’t be stopping any time soon.

“It just goes to a good cause, and everybody needs to be out there donating,” Dobberpuhl said.

This year, the blood bank’s goal is to reach out to more people through their blood drive center, whether they’re giving for the first time or do it regularly like Dobberpuhl.

“Whatever your blood type is we want you to come out and donate as soon as it comes in it goes right out to our hospitals,” Lundeen said.

Other blood banks like the Red Cross have declared an emergency blood shortage. They’re experiencing the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years.

Those interested in giving blood can make an appointment by clicking here or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

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Purdue Transfer Quarterback Marcos Davila Commits to Nebraska

Published

8 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Purdue Transfer Quarterback Marcos Davila Commits to Nebraska

KALEB HENRY

Kaleb Henry is an award-winning sports reporter, covering collegiate athletics since 2014 via radio, podcasting, and digital journalism. His experience with Big Ten Conference teams goes back more than a decade, including time covering programs such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans. He has contributed to Sports Illustrated since 2021. Kaleb has won multiple awards for his sports coverage from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kaleb was a Division I athlete on the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Track and Field team where he discussed NCAA legislation as SIUE’s representative to the Ohio Valley Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

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Nebraska

Rhule talks Dante Dowdell, navigating new landscape of roster management

Published

16 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

Rhule talks Dante Dowdell, navigating new landscape of roster management

Many Nebraska football fans were caught off guard and surprised when they saw Dante Dowdell’s name pop up in the transfer portal.

The big and physical downhill runner played in every regular-season game this season with seven starts. Dowdell rushed for 614 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in 2024.

With Emmett Johnson and Dowdell, the Huskers looked to have a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield in 2025. Johnson as the shifty all-purpose back with plenty of make-you-miss and receiving ability in him. Dowdell, a young back who’s still developing in certain areas, as the 6-foot-2, 225-pound north-south bruiser who was money in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

But the days of being caught off guard and surprised by anything dealing with college football are over. With the way the sport is operating right now, Matt Rhule wasn’t surprised Dowdell is looking elsewhere.

According to Nebraska’s head coach, the process of Dowdell’s departure started well before the transfer portal opened.

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Nebraska

Strong winds 'exacerbated' grass fire in central Nebraska, officials say

Published

24 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

Strong winds 'exacerbated' grass fire in central Nebraska, officials say

Courtesy Sherman County Sheriff’s Office
Courtesy Custer County Emergency Management
Courtesy Custer County Emergency Management

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Several rural fire departments are working to extinguish a grass fire in central Nebraska.

Custer County Emergency Management said the first started Thursday around 3:38 p.m. just north of Broken Bow.

Strong winds “exacerbated” the situation, according to county officials.

The fire spread quickly, and additional fire crews were called in to help put out the fire. In total, over 30 fire departments responded to the scene.

The Custer County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an “accident” during the fire.

In a press release sent around midnight, officials said the fire was 25% contained.

People are asked to avoid the area and limit travel.

“Smoke, fire equipment, and emergency traffic should be expected in the area throughout the night and for the foreseeable future,” county officials said in the release.

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