FARMINGTON – Winter weather in Maine affects everything, even blood donations.

Blood supplies in February dropped significantly after recent storms, school cancellations and bouts of flu, said Paul Flanagan, American Red Cross donor recruitment representative for Western Maine on Monday during a blood drive at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

The Northeast has been affected by a lack of blood supplies this month, he said. Flanagan was hopeful to reach the day’s goal of 130 pints drawn from noon to 6 p.m. to help combat the tough month.

“Farmington is a great community for coming out to the drives,” he said. “Even the day before New Year’s Eve, there was a bad storm but the drive was packed by 9 a.m.”

Monday’s response was also good with 40 donors scheduled within the first hour of the drive.

School cancellations have impacted on blood donations because if schools are canceled due to weather the drive is also canceled. The drives are planned two to three months in advance so they can’t be postponed for a couple days, he said.

“The need is great. Blood can only be taken from people, we can’t manufacture it,” he said. “Donors can give every 56 days and we take only one pint of the body’s normal 10 to 12 pints of blood. If the supply of blood needed is not available, orders for blood from area hospitals will have to be cut, causing patients to delay elective surgeries.”

Donors of all ages were spread throughout the Bass Room for the approximate hour-long process that includes signing up, having blood drawn and having a snack and drink to rehydrate, he said.

Sherry Ridley of North Jay gives regularly “because I can,” she said. As a homemaker she says she has the time and responds to the need.

Donor Kenneth Orr of Mercer said he responds to the regular calls and reminders sent by the Red Cross for drives. “The regulars are the ones counted on most,” said Eddie Scott from the Portland Red Cross office. Walk-in donors were also needed to help make up the approximate 1,000 unit deficit, as stated in a Red Cross news release.

The next local drive will be held March 29 at the Nichols Expo Center in Wilton during the Emblem Club’s craft fair, Flanagan said.