where our focus is your health and wellness.

I'm your host, Brittany Sweeney.

The blood supply is critically low across the Lehigh Valley, but not just because of a lack of donors.

Staffing issues are contributing to the shortage, and already critically low supply has been depleted even more, as people leave the medical field.

- We need to bring this to people's attention, because we don't want to report that somebody died because there was no blood.

- Dr. Kip Kuttner, the medical director for Miller-Keystone Blood Center, says at one point the blood bank recently had only 25% of its normal collection staff working.

- This is something that blood collectors haven't had to confront before, this multifactorial issue preventing us from collecting the number of units which we would like to have in our inventory.

- The shortage comes as supply is already low, with officials continuing to sound the alarm for blood donations.

- With Covid-19 and other illnesses really impacting blood donors going on two years now, we find ourselves in a very difficult decision with a very, very low blood supply.

- Pennsylvania Physician General Denise Johnson this month again called attention to the dwindling supply across the state.

When the pandemic hit, many places that typically hold blood drives, like businesses and schools, closed, limiting the number of available donation sites.

- Many schools and workplaces have students and staff that are out sick, and they have had to abruptly cancel blood drives and haven't been able to reschedule.

This time of year, with the changes that we've had in the weather, with cold and flu circulating, people have found it very difficult to get the blood donations done that they have done in the past.

And it has really impacted our blood donation centers.

- Now, as many change jobs in what's being called the Great Resignation, it's not just donors needed, but staff.

Dr. Kuttner says he's seeing phlebotomists take jobs in higher-paying careers or leaving for work-from-home positions.

He says the job requires extensive training, but would be a good fit for anyone who's interested in the medical field and who is a people person.

- The problem is, is that we are one major bleeding event away from not having enough blood.

Because the blood that we collect is going to the hospitals right away.

- Those interested in donating blood can make an appointment with Miller Keystone at 800-B-A-DONOR.

- Even in this blood shortage, there is hope.

You can save up to three lives by donating just one pint of blood.

- Dr. Kuttner says jobs are open now at Miller-Keystone Blood Center for those willing to go through the training.

You can find a list of jobs on the Miller-Keystone website.

And that will do it for this edition of Living in the Lehigh Valley.

I'm Brittany Sweeney, hoping you stay happy and healthy.