The forecast of heavy snow, coupled with high absenteeism in some area schools due to the flu, has the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region keeping a close eye on its Regional blood inventory.
On Wednesday, the Region had less than a half-day supply of O-negative blood on its shelves and just above a half-day supply of B-negative. Even the supply of the universal blood type - O-positive - rested at just under one full day.
"Providing blood for area hospitals is a 24/7/365 activity," said David Chumley, CEO for the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Region. "Each blood product has a different shelf life so we try to plan our weekly collections in order to have enough blood on reserve so the hospitals we serve never run into situations where blood is not available for an accident, a cancer treatment or a planned procedure. When we miss a day of scheduled drives or people are unable to reach our collection centers for scheduled donations, we get very concerned."
Before noon on Wednesday, even with any anticipated weather a day away, one area school drive cancelled a planned drive for Thursday. In addition to the threat of snow, the school already was facing high absenteeism due to flu hitting its students and families. The situation could easily be duplicated in other locations. And a day of cancelled school on a Thursday many times means a Friday closing as well.
"School closings this Thursday and Friday could cost us 700 potential units of blood, Chumley said. "And that is just from a handful of school drives."
When bad weather occurs or the flu keeps an individual from donating, the Red Cross encourages those with scheduled blood donation appointments to reschedule. Those who were planning on walking in to donate to help a school or an organization may also find a day, time and even a different blood drive to donate, which might even be more convenient for their schedule.
To find a donation opportunity, or for more information potential donors should call1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or click here.
Together, we can save a life!
About the American Red CrossThe American Red Cross is a humanitarian, nonprofit organization founded in 1881, whose Blood Services division provides more than 40 percent of the nation's blood supply. The Missouri-Illinois Region annually distributes over 500,000 blood products to patients in need. This region currently serves over 120 hospitals in 122 counties and operates four distribution centers. The Red Cross relies on the generosity of volunteer blood donors to maintain a safe and adequate blood supply all year long. To find out more information about donating blood or to make a blood donation appointment, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or continue to browse our Web site. |
