The United Blood Services center in Durango is closing, effective Friday.
The Durango center is not as busy as other centers, Charlene Smith, from the United Blood Services center in Albuquerque, said Tuesday. “So we’re doing some economizing, some reorganizing.”
Durango blood center employees will start working out of Farmington, Smith said.
Donors still can give blood, however, through mobile units, Smith said. Potential donors can call (877) 827-4376 to find a blood drive near them.
Smith said there are two to three blood drives a week through mobile units in the greater Durango area.
“We still need donors to provide the amount of blood required,” Smith said. “We’re second to the Red Cross in blood collections nationally.”
Smith said the government shutdown is somewhat affecting the collection of blood. Federal offices where bloodmobiles regularly park are closed.
Ten federal offices in New Mexico could cancel the appearance of a bloodmobile, she said. It all depends on how long the government shutdown continues and when bloodmobiles have scheduled appointments.
daler@duangoherald.com
