Donation at Community Blood Center on August 29, 2016. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Community Blood Center says it faces severe shortage, urging donors to help replenish Type O stock.
As of Wednesday at 9 a.m., the Community Blood Center’s inventory dropped to just a two-day supply of O positive blood and less than a two-day supply of O negative blood on hand. That is well below what is needed to meet anticipated patient needs in the coming days.
Type O blood inventory remains critically low after a patient in a hospital the Community Blood Center supports triggered a Massive Transfusion Protocol (MTP) late Tuesday. MTPs are initiated in critical emergencies when patients need rapid and substantial transfusions to manage severe blood loss. The hospital needed an extra 16 Type O units on top of regular deliveries from CBC to restock.
“While O negative blood is often vital when every second counts because it can be given to any patient in an emergency, all blood types are constantly needed,” said John Hagins, President & CEO, The Community Blood Center. “America’s Blood Centers reports only 3% of Americans donate blood each year despite 65% being eligible. By donating, you truly make a lifesaving impact in your community.”
Patients rely on generous donors each day to get through surgeries, cancer treatments, life-threatening emergencies and more. The Community Blood Center makes donating blood as convenient as possible with nine donor centers and about 100 mobile blood drives each month.
Schedule a donation by visiting communityblood.org, using the the Community Blood Center Donor App or calling (800) 280-4102.
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