Because of the Bug Fire, several Vitalant blood drives had to be canceled last week. That can put a strain on the supply during a season when it already tends to be lower.
“Being on summer break, it really impacts our collections,” said Jackie Grams, an Account Manager at Vitalant. “On our mobile drives, we collect about half of everything from our high school and college student bodies. So when they're on break, we've got to make up those numbers because hospital patients, they don't wait. They still need those products every single day.”
Vitalant says they need to collect at least 150 units a day to service the hospitals in our area. Those missed drives equaled at least 65 uncollected units, which puts them in a bit of a tight spot.
“That does impact our inventory levels.” said Grams. “We are continuing to move the needle. We want to maintain our inventory levels. We started out the summer with a critical shortage, and we moved out of that. But we still have an ongoing need for all blood types.”
A common misconception about giving blood is that it can only be done at blood drives, but Vitalant allows for walk-ins and appointments at all three of their locations.
One donation helps three hospital patients, and the number one type of recipient is cancer patients. The number two is mothers giving birth.
“One in 84 mothers will need a blood product due to delivery complications, so it's a very small circle,” said Grams. “Once you start talking to people and learn about who has received blood products, it's more common than people realize.”
One life was lost due to the Bug fire and if Northern Nevada had a burn unit for them to be treated at, Vitalant says it's likely they would have needed blood.
More information on how to give to Vitalant can be found here.
