Every week, 550 pints of blood are required to meet the needs of our local hospitals. But with the flu season underway, what happens if the pandemic continues to spread and people can't donate? The Community Blood Bank has a plan.

No matter what happens, the Community Blood Bank is ready for the flu season.

"We have sort of a multi-faceted plan trying to remain as flexible as possible not knowing what's going to come or what our specific needs are," Dr. Keith Anderson said.

Medical Director Dr. Keith Anderson says if you're sick, you can't donate.

Before you hop onto these chairs to give blood, the staff checks your pulse, blood pressure, temperature and iron levels but they also ask you questions pertaining to your health.

They need to know whether you have a cough, fever or other symptoms.  Anderson says if a lot of people get sick there may not be as many elective surgical procedures which would lower demand. But if there isn't a decrease in surgeries, the bank will need more donors and may have to turn to other communities for help.

"Seldomly you see the whole county involved in an epidemic at the exact same time so if we are not feeling the pressure and another part is then any extra blood we maybe collect we can send to them and vice versa," Anderson said.

Even with a lot of unknowns, Anderson is confident the blood bank will be able meet the community's needs no matter what H1N1 brings.

If you've gotten the flu shot, doctors say you can still donate blood.

Community Blood Bank