Area Blood Shortage and Drive

There's an area blood shortage as we approach the July 4th holiday. Here's the full blurb from yesterday's News-Gazette:

Blood donations urged as two products run critically low
Two blood products used by area hospitals are at critically low levels, and donors are needed especially in the days before the July 4 holiday, according to Community Blood Services of Illinois.

The agency called on all eligible donors to step up, saying the supplies of type O and type B red cells have reached critical levels.

The blood center typically experiences a significant drop in donations during the summer, according to Amanda Hess, director of donor relations.

"There are weeks we collect 1,000 fewer units than we normally do in the spring and fall, especially surrounding the summer holidays," she said.

Donations of all blood types and products are needed, but inventories of type O-negative, O-positive, B-negative and B-positive red cells, along with all types of platelet products, are the most urgently needed before July 4, the agency said.

To schedule a donor appointment at a Community Blood Services of Illinois center or mobile blood drive, call 800-217-4483. More information on blood drives is at bloodcenterimpact.org.

Web article here. Additional information on local blood donations here: https://www.bloodcenter.org/home.aspx