"So many people are sick they are not able to donate," said Angela G. Bilodeau, a Bangor-based donor services representative for American Red Cross Blood Services New England Region.

So instead of having three or four days' blood supply on hand, the American Red Cross now has less than one day's supply available locally, Bilodeau said. This is when many patients, who postponed surgery until after the holidays, are checking in for elective operations, she said.

Of the Red Cross' 37 regions nationally, 25 now have less than a day's supply on hand. Not only has the flu kept donors away, some who've given blood have called within a day to report coming down with the flu, said Stephanie Millian, a Massachusetts-based spokewoman for the Red Cross. That further depressed supplies.

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