Non-profit regional blood center Blood Assurance is calling on healthy community members to make a blood donation at a local donor center or bloodmobile as soon as possible to help replenish the blood supply needed by area hospitals. The local blood supply is critically low due to high hospital usage and widespread flu affecting donors across the region.
“To have a four to five day supply of blood is ideal,” said Christopher Swafford, Vice President of Operations at Blood Assurance. “We currently have a one day supply and if crisis were to occur, we would not be prepared.”
Presently, the organization only has a one day supply and is asking the community to take 30 minutes out of their day to help guarantee blood is readily available to hospital patients. Each donation of blood contains plasma, red blood cells and platelets that can be used to save lives of any age, including premature babies, oncology patients, trauma victims, surgery patients and many more. Patients undergoing surgery, receiving cancer treatment or organ transplants rely on donated blood, in addition to the unexpected traumas seen at hospitals on a daily basis. With a one day supply, those needs for blood cannot be met. Blood Assurance thanks all donors who choose to give to those in need.
“We need healthy donors to come replenish the supply,” said Jay Baumgardner, Executive Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Blood Assurance. “If you are under the weather, please ask a friend to give on your behalf.”
If you are healthy and have not donated recently or if you are a first time donor, you are encouraged to give today as all blood types are needed. To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 18 years old (17 and 16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids - avoiding caffeine - and eat a meal that is rich in protein prior to donating.