Local Impacts of Nationwide Blood Shortage

RENO, Nev. (775 Times, NV Globe) – The first national blood crisis has existed for a year, according to the Red Cross. This scarcity is still causing issues locally and nationally today.

The nonprofit blood bank Vitalant, which serves the people of Northern Nevada, claims that since the outbreak, they have had difficulty replenishing their blood supply. Since the blood bank provides blood supplies to the 22 hospitals in our region, the organization is concerned that their supply is currently 20% below where it was before the outbreak.

According to Scott Edward, Senior Donor Recruitment Manager at Vitalant, “It’s part of the health of the community, while physicians are transfusing the components, everybody expects it’s going to be there. The only way we can take that for granted is; if behind the scenes people are contributing.”

Donations from the community are essential. This remark was made in response to the problem of the blood shortage by Saint Mary’s Hospital, one of the 22 institutions that receive blood from the organization.

“Both region-wide and at the Saint Mary’s Blood Bank, we are still experiencing shortages of type O blood, especially the O negative blood. Additionally, type AB plasmas have been more in-demand as of late, and we are experiencing a shortage there, too. Every blood donation and plasma donation is life-saving, and these donations help to ensure that our community has a stable blood supply for those in need.” –Mayumi M, Transfusion Services Supervisor at Saint Mary’s

“You know the silent heroes of our community are volunteering to donate blood, and here in Nevada we need to see about 3,000 people who are donating,” said Edward.

To learn more about how you can help the community and donate blood or organize a blood drive, click here.

Credits: KOLO TV