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Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

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The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Severe Winter Leaves Blood Banks in Need

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Thursday, January 5, 2017   

GREAT FALLS, Mont. -- The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for help - including at its five donation centers in Montana.

The organization needs blood and platelet donors after 37,000 fewer donations than expected came in at blood banks across the nation in November and December. Joe Zydlo, communications manager at the American Red Cross, said donations are critically needed so patients can continue to receive life-saving treatments.

"Any blood type - A, A Positive, O, O Negative, B Negative - any and every blood type is needed,” Zydlo said.

Anyone can go online to RedCrossBlood.org to find the nearest donation site by entering a ZIP Code.

Zydlo said this is the time of the year when blood donations are typically low because of the holidays, and bad weather is an additional factor that often keeps people from getting to donation sites. But the need is there 365 days a year.

"Hospitals don't get a vacation; they don't get to take a holiday,” Zydlo said. "There's patients that need it - cancer patients need platelet donations, too, that's so critical. It could be a life-threatening type of situation."

According to Zydlo, about 20 percent of blood drives are held at schools - so when they're closed, it really makes an impact. Snowstorms and severe weather across the country forced nearly 100 blood drives to be canceled in December, Zydlo said, resulting in thousands of potential blood donations going uncollected.

"This is really one of two times of the year when we go into an emergency appeal - where we have this critical, emergency shortage, if you will, and it's really impacted us,” he said.



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