LAKEWOOD RANCH – Suncoast Blood Centers is running dry, and they need our help.
“We’re in a critical shortage we haven’t seen this low of an inventory in over a decade,” said Suncoast Blood Centers Community Liaison, Joan Leonard.
Suncoast blood centers helps supply 14 hospitals on the Suncoast.
“Every day, seven days a week, we need to collect 150 units, in the last two weeks we haven’t had one day over 100 units collected, so the needs are still there, the needs are increasing, more people are having surgeries, 50 percent of our product goes to saving those with cancer, cancer doesn’t stop because people are not donating blood, we need you to come in and help us out, help our hospitals,” said Leonard.
If you want to donate blood you have to be 16 years of age or older, in good health, and weigh at least 110 pounds
“And you get a wellness checkup as well, so we’re checking your cholesterol, your iron levels, it’s kind of like a free checkup when you come and donate blood, and you find out your blood type,” said Leonard.
One Suncoast man who is a Supply Chain Carrier for the blood center is also an active donor who has donated 26 gallons of platelets so far
“Every time you donate, you save lives, and it’s something everybody should think about doing, I mean it’s really something that helps so many people,” said Supply Chain Carrier for Suncoast Blood Centers and active donor, Gene Ryan.
“I feel like I’m helping people when I come in here, and it’s a good feeling,” said Ryan.
For more information on how you can donate blood you can visit Suncoast Blood Centers website here.