SARASOTA, Fla. — There's a severe shortage of O-negative blood, and a local blood bank has put out an urgent call for donors.
Suncoast Blood Bank CEO Scott Bush says the bank has never seen its "supplies of O neg drop to such critical levels, and we are not able to import blood from our affiliate centers because they are facing shortages as well."
The bank said a high need after serious traffic crashes during the weekend sapped supplies.
One patient needed 59 units of the blood type, the bank said.
Ordinarily, the bank can call on other blood banks for help, but recent severe weather has ruled out that option.
“Every blood center in the country must serve their own patients first so we certainly understand. Normally, we would be helping other centers who’ve had to cease collections due to winter storms, but we are struggling to meet our own needs, just as they are,” Bush said.
Suncoast has donor centers in Sarasota, Venice, Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. To locate a donor center near you, or a bloodmobile in your neighborhood, visit scbb.org.
To schedule an appointment to donate, call 1-866-97-BLOOD.
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