Blood providers say donations are down this month. (American Red Cross photo)
Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) and the American Red Cross Greater Carolinas Chapter issued alerts about the blood shortage this week.
The Red Cross said severe winter weather in the eastern U.S. in recent weeks has led donors to cancel more than 14,000 blood and platelet donations, including more than 3,200 in the Carolinas Region. That has put a strain on the Red Cross’s national inventory management system, which can move blood products where they’re needed most, the Red Cross said.
“We have not seen the January supply drop this dramatically in a decade and we need to reverse this now,“ Joyce H. Brendel, American Red Cross Carolinas Region’s chief executive officer, said in a statement Tuesday. “You don’t wait to refuel once you’ve run out of gas. Donating blood or platelets now helps ensure immediate and future patient needs will be met.”
The Red Cross urges all eligible donors in unaffected areas to make an appointment to give blood or platelets in the coming days, and those in affected areas to donate as soon as travel is deemed safe, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by visiting redcrossblood.org. Donations will help replenish the Red Cross blood supply to ensure that blood products are readily available for patients with serious medical needs.
CBCC ALSO SEES SHORTAGE
Community Blood Center of the Carolinas said Wednesday it has seen blood donations decline nearly 20 percent this month because of the weather and the onset of cold and flu season. CBCC is requesting the public to give blood as soon as possible.
“As the community’s primary blood supplier, 300 donations are needed daily to treat area patients and we depend on local donors to help us meet that need,” Martin Grable, president and CEO of Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, said in a press release.
“As many have heard, the national blood supply is down about 12 percent this month. Locally, our donations are down as much as 20 percent in the region, primarily because of the weather resulting in school and business closings in January,” he said.
The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas supplies 18 regional hospitals, including all of the Carolinas HealthCare System hospitals, Levine Children’s Hospital, Gaston Memorial Hospital, Piedmont Medical Center and Frye Regional Medical Center.
“We are fighting to maintain a sufficient blood supply and are urging all eligible donors to donate blood. We are also encouraging local businesses, schools and other organizations to host a blood drive. We need your help to support local patients in their treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease trauma and transplants.” added Grable.
Anyone 16 (parent permission needed for 16-year-olds in S.C.) and older who weighs at least 120 pounds is encouraged to donate at one of the three CBCC centers located in Charlotte, Belmont and Monroe or at one of CBCC’s many mobile blood drives. Find directions, blood drive dates and other info at www.cbcc.us/donate. For more information or to make an appointment, call 704-972-4700.
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