Nonprofit blood services provider Vitalant has a critical blood and platelet shortage and is urging all eligible donors to make an appointment now.
Type O blood, which is the most transfused blood type and is vital to helping patients in emergencies, has plummeted to under a two-day supply – its lowest level since May 2020.
Blood donations are going out to about 900 hospitals Vitalant serves nationwide, including approximately 22 in Northern Nevada, quicker than volunteer donations are coming in.
“Compared to the beginning of the pandemic, patient needs are stronger than we expected,” said Cliff Numark, Vitalant senior vice president. “We’re seeking about 1,000 additional volunteer donors to make and keep an appointment each week for the foreseeable future to ensure Vitalant can help trauma victims, cancer patients and critical surgeries.”
Vitalant is also experiencing a critical shortage of platelet donations. Platelets are tiny cells that help blood clot and must be transfused within about a week of donation and about 50% of platelets are given to cancer patients undergoing treatment.
“This low inventory is especially concerning as traditionally, Vitalant sees robust collections and a strong inventory in October. With the holidays, winter weather and flu season around the corner, we expect continued blood collection challenges. It is critical for people to donate now and on a regular basis. I once heard a blood recipient’s spouse thank donors for giving him more time with his wife who was being treated for cancer. Blood donation truly is the gift of life, Andrea Casson, Sr. Director, Donor Recruitment said in a statement.
To learn more and to schedule an appointment to donate, you can visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).
