Mother Nature not kind to area blood supply

Posted February 03, 2014 2:25 pm

Submitted by Heartland Blood Centers

Heartland Blood Centers is asking for immediate blood donations, as bad weather across the area continues to negatively affect the blood supply.

According to Heartland Blood Centers CEO Dennis Mestrich, approximately 2,000 units of blood have been lost in January, due to the severe temperatures and an increase in illness related cancellations. Included in this number was the cancellation of some 21 mobile blood drives.

To meet the needs of the 49 hospitals served by Heartland Blood Centers, almost 600 units of blood are needed every day. In order to rebuild the blood inventories that have been affected by the adverse conditions, Heartland is pleading for healthy community members to reschedule their canceled appointments and all other eligible blood donors to make an appointment as soon as possible. Please call (800) 786-4483 or go online at www.heartlandbc.org. Every donation is valuable and appreciated.

To be a blood donor, individuals must be at least 17 years old or 16 with written parental permission; weigh at least 110 pounds; be symptom free of cold, flu and allergies; and be in general good health. If you are someone that has been considering donating blood, please call today. Heartland needs you.

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