Sean Dolan, of Center Township, rests after donating blood at Vitalant Blood Donation in Summit Township on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. Dolan, a universal donor, has given blood every 8 weeks for 44 years. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

The blood service provider Vitalant declared an emergency blood shortage Monday, Vitalant communications manager Kristen Lane said.

Blood supplies for patients in the region recently dipped to their lowest levels in a year, and about 900 hospitals nationwide need eligible donors to prevent disruptions in patient care, Lane said.

“That has not happened yet, but that is always a fear in the back of our hospitals’ minds, our doctors’ minds, that if there’s not enough blood already at the hospital, it won’t be available for an emergency,” Lane said, referring to concern about disruptions in care.