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Arizona Teacher Strike Impacting Blood Drives, Donations

As a result of cancellations due to the  statewide teacher walkout, a threat exists to the Arizona's blood supply.

Over 1,000 Arizona high schools partner with United Blood Services to host donation drives throughout the year.

Dozens of drives were scheduled for this week, but because of school closures due to the statewide teacher walk out, many drives have either been cancelled or are at risk of being cancelled, threatening nearly 1,000 potential donations.

Sue Thew with United Blood Services said about one in six donors come from school drives. She is calling on the public to step in.

"We're trying to get the word out to other people to step up in their place," Thew said, "and give blood to maintain Arizona's blood supply so that patients across the state have the life saving transfusions that they require."

Thew said about five hundred daily donations are needed to keep up with hospital demand. The organization has  six donation centers throughout the Phoenix areaas well as other community blood drives.