ImpactLife blood center

A growing practice among emergency responders is getting life-saving blood transfusions started before a patient arrives at an emergency room.

The “golden hour” is a finding that trauma patients have a considerably more effective recovery when they receive a large blood transfusion within an hour of their injury.

Local blood banks currently have only a one to two-day supply of type O blood. That's not the norm this time of year.

A spokesman for the blood provider that serves most of the hospitals in the Peoria area says a dip in donations during the week of Memorial Day has significantly shortened supply.

U.S Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, is hoping to lead by example in urging people to donate blood as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacts supply.