Critical blood shortage prompts call for local donations
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(Photo by Mike Scott/STHS)
The nationwide blood shortage afflicting U.S. hospitals and health systems since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact Northshore blood supplies, with Rh negative in particular short supply locally.
Consequently, local residents of all blood types are urged to donate blood at a mobile blood drive or one of the Blood Center’s area donation centers. Appointments to give blood can be made at the Blood Center website or by calling 800-86-BLOOD.
In particular, families of patients scheduled to undergo surgery are being asked to donate in an effort to replenish the blood supply in our community.
According to the American Red Cross, blood donations since the start of the pandemic have been at their lowest levels in a decade.
Although transfusion requests for in-demand blood types are being reviewed by a pathologist before being given approval, surgeries are not at present being canceled as a result of the blood shortage – although that could change if supplies continue to dwindle.