Blood Centers Face Critical Shortage

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Blood banks are generally called upon in emergencies -- but now the industry has an emergency of its own. Officials claim the situation is so dire that some hospitals are worried supplies may "bleed" dry.

Cape Fear Valley's Blood Donor Center in Fayetteville, N.C., is so short on donations that it is calling its regulars to see if they can make an extra trip in. With the Fourth of July holiday, donations are down 75 percent. Officials said they just have a one-day supply of type O blood left.

According to the American Association of Blood Banks and the Red Cross, it is a similar situation across the country, which means local hospitals have nowhere to buy extra blood when their donations are short.

"Right now, patients in hospitals across the country are helpless without the critical and immediate gift of lifesaving blood," said American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha Evans. "Blood needs to be on the shelves in anticipation of this need, and we can't do that without the donors coming in the door."

Officials said the shortage is not a problem that can be cured overnight. Donated blood takes two days to be processed, so going into the weekend, they already know this is all they have.

Officials said there are several reasons for the blood shortage. There are new restrictions on people who travel out of country. There are also new questions on West Nile virus and the smallpox vaccine on the donor questionnaire. On top of all that, more people are driving rather than flying, which officials said translates into more accidents.

Plus, the summer months are traditionally a challenging time for blood centers. During the school year, donations from high school and college students account for about 15 percent of Red Cross blood collections. In the summer, these groups become much more difficult to target.

Donor Gary Parish said everyone should be concerned.

"There's a need for it and you never know when your family may need it," he said.

To be eligible, a blood donor must be healthy, at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more.

Volunteer blood donations help patients being treated for accidents, routine surgeries and serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease and hemophilia. Only about 5 percent of the estimated 60 percent of eligible Americans donate blood.

Many blood banks have extended their hours to give donors more time to roll up their sleeves. Officials said if things do not improve, some local hospitals may postpone elective surgeries.

To find a donation center near you, contact one of these organizations:

American Association of Blood Banks: 866-FROM-YOU, aabb.org
America's Blood Centers: 888-USBLOOD, www.americasblood.org
American Red Cross: 800-GIVE-LIFE, redcross.org