Patient Care at Risk, Versiti Blood Center of
Ohio Issues Plea for Donors
COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Versiti Blood Center of Ohio has issued an emergency appeal for blood
donations due to a dangerously low blood supply. Certain blood
types have less than a day's worth of availability, endangering the
lives of local patients. Summer donations have plummeted, hitting a
critical low as Versiti recorded its lowest donation count of the
year last week coming out of the holiday weekend.
All blood types are needed, with O-positive and O-negative being
the most in demand. O-positive is the most common blood type, while
O-negative blood is the universal type that can be safely received
by all patients in emergencies when the blood type is unknown.
"We know summer is a challenging time for blood donation, and we
plan for it every year, but what we see today is dire," said Dr.
Dan Waxman, vice president of
transfusion medicine and senior medical director at Versiti.
"Patients' lives are at risk. If you are healthy and able, we are
pleading with you to donate blood this week."
In addition to unfilled appointments and a rise in cancellations
and no-shows, Versiti's partner hospitals have required a
significant volume of blood this past month to support organ
transplant procedures and other traumas.
"The demand for blood simply does not match the number of donors
coming through our doors," added Waxman. "While we deeply
appreciate our loyal donors who consistently show up, it's
important to recognize that about 3 percent of people who are
eligible to donate blood actually do. If it's been a while since
your last donation or you're a first-time donor, we are excited to
welcome you."
What happens if blood is not available for patients?
- When the local blood inventory gets as low as it is now, it
jeopardizes the health and safety of patients who rely on
life-saving blood transfusions. In some cases, hospitals are forced
to postpone surgeries or delay critical treatments.
- Trauma victims from car accidents or shootings are at the
highest risk, as their survival often depends on a healthy blood
inventory. If these types of cases occur in the coming days, we
might not have the blood needed to keep them alive.
- Patients undergoing organ transplants and battling cancer, and
even mothers in labor, could face treatment delays or complications
due to a limited blood supply.
To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call (800) 485-6594
or visit versiti.org. Walk-in donors are also welcome.
Donor center location:
- Mill Run Donation Center: 3830 Fishinger Blvd.,
Hilliard, OH 43026.
Community drives:
- 7/8: Honeywell (6766 Pontius Rd, Groveport OH 43125)
- 7/9: The James Outpatient Care (212 Kenny Rd Columbus OH
43210)
- 7/9: Ohio State East Hospital (181 Taylor Ave, Columbus,
OH 43210)
- 7/11: Sedgwick (5555 Glendon
Court, Dublin, OH
43016)
- 7/12: Converge Technologies (4621 Lyman Dr,
Hilliard, OH 43026)
- Multiple July Dates: Ross Heart Hospital (452 West 10th
Ave, Columbus, OH 43210)
Donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone aged 16 or older who
is in good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged
to give. Parental consent is required for donors aged 16 to donate
blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth
date.
About Versiti Blood Center of Ohio
Based in Columbus, Versiti
Blood Center of Ohio provides
blood, blood products and specialty laboratory services to The
Ohio State University Wexner Medical
Center. The Wexner Medical Center is a leading hospital system with
a nationally recognized hematology division, the Midwest's largest
cancer hospital and the only academic medical center in the region.
The health system uses more than 60,000 lifesaving units of blood
products every year. Versiti Blood Center of Ohio schedules community blood drives in the
Columbus area to support The Ohio
State Wexner Medical Center blood needs. For a complete listing of
upcoming drives for to host a blood drive visit
www.versiti.org/ohio or call 800-485-6594.
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SOURCE Versiti Blood Center of Ohio