Over the past few days, we’ve seen parts of the country devastated by severe weather turned deadly, and blood centers in some of the most impacted places are in need of supply.
“When we experience bad weather here with hurricanes, we get our blood supplies or units from other parts of the country, so it’s our turn now to help those in need,” said Joan Leonard.
Inside the walls of the Suncoast Blood Centers it’s known amongst staff the COVID-19 pandemic had depleted their blood supplies.
And while donation here on the Suncoast have gone up momentarily, the recent severe weather in parts of the U.S. have affected blood donation centers across the country.
“The needs are so great because centers that have lost power are affected the ice and the snow storms,” said Leonard.
With record low temperatures with wind chills below zero in Texas, to a rare February tornado in Coastal North Carolina.
Leonard, the Suncoast Blood Centers Community Liaison, says the icy roads are preventing from units to be transported and delivered.
And the supplies in storage of blood, plasma, and platelets are quickly going to waste.
Leonard says about 20-years-ago 15% of the U.S. population donated blood. Now only 3% of Americans supply the nectar of life.
“But needs for blood are every day,” said Leonard. “People that have cancer or open heart surgery where they need blood to help those people in the hospitals.”
Leonard says donating blood is quite safe here at the Suncoast Blood Centers even if you’ve recently received either COVID-19 vaccinations.
CDC guidelines are strictly followed and the majority of the staff at the center have already received their second dose of the vaccine.
“We rely so much on our community to help each other, and we can reach out to the rest of the country as well,” said Leonard.
Leonard says the blood center is even extending their hours to allow more people to donate blood. You can schedule your appointment to donate blood online, or by calling 1-866-97-BLOOD (972-5663).
At least 28 deaths in 7 states are being reported and left millions without power during record low temperatures.