Supply of the most needed blood type for
patients drops to an 18-month low amidst extreme heat across the
nation
Vitalant urgently calls on all eligible donors
to avert patient treatment delays
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.,
July 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Citing a 30% blood donation
shortfall during the Fourth of July holiday week, and overall low
donor turnout this summer, nonprofit blood services provider
Vitalant is facing an emergency shortage of type O blood. The
community blood center for about 900 hospitals nationwide urges all
donors, especially those with type O, to make an appointment now to
give in the coming days and weeks.
"There isn't anything that can substitute
for lifesaving blood donations from generous donors."
"No doctor should have to face the impossible choice of which
patient receives the blood they need and who must
wait," Vitalant Chief Medical and Scientific Officer
Ralph Vassallo, M.D. said. "There
isn't anything that can substitute for lifesaving blood donations
from generous donors. Donors of all blood types continue to be
urgently needed."
Emergency Shortage of Type O Blood
The most in-demand
blood type for patients – type O – recently dropped to an 18-month
low. Type O is critical for patients because of its universal use
in life-or-death situations. O-negative can be transfused to
patients of any blood type and is what emergency room doctors reach
for when every second counts. O-positive can support anyone with a
positive blood type. Approximately 46% of the population has type O
blood to give and help overcome the shortage.
Extreme Heat, Summer Vacations, Keeping Donors
Away
Extreme heat affecting much of the country and summer
vacations are likely contributing to low donor turnout during
"trauma season" when injuries from outdoor activities can increase.
Blood donations during the Fourth of July holiday week plummeted
about 30% overall from weekly averages, resulting in approximately
7,500 fewer donations than needed, and have not recovered. This
shortfall is on top of about 8,000 fewer donations than needed in
June.
How to Help
Thousands of donation appointments are
available at air-conditioned Vitalant donation centers and
community blood drives in the coming days and weeks. Donors of all
blood types, especially those with type O, are urged to make an
appointment at vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or
call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).
To help encourage donations and overcome the shortage, through
July 27, donors will automatically be
entered to win a new car (valued up to $30,000).
About Vitalant
Vitalant (Vye-TAL-ent) is one of the
nation's largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare
organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a
safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion
medicine expertise and world-renowned research. Individuals
generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are
essential to our lifesaving mission. Learn more at
vitalant.org.
Contact: 480-675-5413
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SOURCE Vitalant