Snow, wind, and ice are not just closing schools this week.
The winter weather has also cancelled blood drives and appointments and temporarily closed donation centers.
And that’s depleting inventory levels of blood needed to serve patients at area hospitals.
Impact Life, a non-profit blood center based in Davenport that supplies blood to hospitals in west central Illinois and southeast Iowa, estimates they lost 500 donations as a result of the storm early this week.
Despite a strong day for blood donations during a break in winter weather on Thursday, Impact Life is again experiencing a decrease in blood donations with the current storm.
“We have already had to close one of our Donor Center locations (in Galesburg) and so far five of today's blood drives are canceled due to weather,” said Kirby Winn, manager of public relations for Impact Life. “With these losses, we are now estimating a loss of 700 donations due to blood drive cancellations and missed appointments caused by this week's snow, ice, and freezing temps.”
Winn said there is currently a 1 to 1.5 day supply of type O-positive and O-negative red blood cells. Also at critical levels are B-positive and B-negative red blood cells, as well as platelets from all blood types.
“We are asking all eligible donors who can travel safely to schedule an appointment give blood and help ensure our ability to meet patient needs for the hospitals we serve,” Winn said.
Donors can find a nearby Donor Center or mobile blood drive by calling (800) 747-5401, or schedule online at www.bloodcenter.org, or with the ImpactLife mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app).
Meanwhile, the American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage Jan. 7, saying they are experiencing the lowest number of people donating blood in 20 years.
“We need everyone’s help to alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed,” said Mara Thompson, regional communications manager for the American Red Cross of Illinois.
Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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