Shelby Baptist Medical Center is feeling the pinch of a blood shortage within the county and across the nation.

After the holidays blood banks including Shelby Baptist Medical Center&8217;s main supplier LifeSouth have a hard time catching up. Donors are scarce, but patients continue to need blood throughout the season.

Now, Lifesouth and Shelby Baptist are looking to the community to help ease the shortage. Dale Morano, LifeSouth&8217;s Birmingham branch manager said all blood types, especially type O, are dangerously low. &8220;Type O blood is the universal blood type, so it gets used more. Type B is also used faster than we can supply it,&8221; Morano said. All blood being donated is processed and used within 24 hours.

When Lifesouth&8217;s blood supply runs low, backup organizations are called in to fill the hospital&8217;s need. However, Morano said: &8220;At this point that is difficult because everyone is running low.&8221;

Businesses are urged to host mobile blood drives for the community. &8220;It is free to host a blood drive, and by doing so you are helping your community,&8221; Morano said. Also, a LifeSouth mobile unit will be in front of Shelby Baptist today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m