Blood Bank issues emergency appeal for donors
Blood Bank of Delmarva announced a blood emergency Dec. 2 due in large part to fears of the Omicron variant and the holiday season. Currently, the region’s blood supply stands at a three-day level, well below the ideal inventory of seven days.
Most precariously, the key blood types of O positive and O negative are at 0.9 and 0.8 days, respectively.
During the winter and holiday season, the last thing people think about is donating blood, and that could be disastrous. Blood centers across the country are and have been suffering from shortages for the 19 months of the pandemic.
The Omicron variant is creating new uncertainty. Donors with upcoming appointments and organizations with upcoming blood drives are canceling, thereby creating extra volatility to the blood supply. Hospitals and patients must be able to rely upon a steady flow of volunteer donors.
“In a normal year, winter is a difficult time to maintain the blood supply. Unpredictable weather, cold and flu season, school breaks, family and holiday travel all contribute to making blood donations less of a priority. Normally, October and November are a time where we build our inventory in anticipation of these challenges, but this year is especially dire without a solid inventory pre-holiday and the news of a new variant,” said Patty Killeen, senior executive director at BBD. “Donating blood is safe, easy and vital to those who need it. This is the season of giving, and there is no better gift to your fellow Delmarva residents than lifesaving blood donations.”
Donating blood only takes one hour. The Blood Bank is taking extra precautions to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19. All staff are vaccinated.
As always, people are not eligible to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms. People can donate blood regardless of vaccination status.
To learn more about donor eligibility and COVID-19 precautions or to schedule appointments, call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 or go to delmarvablood.org.
