SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(KELO)- This winter has not only been hard on roads and our vehicles…it’s also hit the local blood supply.

Lauri Haufman, Program Coordinator for the Sioux Falls Community Blood Bank, says bad weather forced the cancellation of several blood drives.

Another issue…the Blood Bank has lost a lot of its older donors who can no longer donate because of health problems and medications.

Weather related cancellations meant the loss of 15-hundred donations this year.

This all comes as the need for blood is on the rise.