Economy, weather hurt blood supplies
The bleak economy and harsh winter weather has dealt a one-two punch to local blood supplies.
Heartland Blood Centers, headquartered in Aurora, has issued an urgent plea for donations, particularly O negative and B negative types, which have dropped to less than a two-day supply.
The shortage is further complicated by the increased demand due to elective surgeries that are scheduled after the holidays.
"Everyday we receive calls from companies where we have a blood drive scheduled," said Jill Bernard, spokesman for Heartland Blood Centers. "They have either canceled the event because of layoffs and turnover, or there are far fewer donors. That's how this economy is affecting our supplies."
Bernard said the extreme weather during December and January has also
been a factor in causing the shortage.
"We've had cancellations of our school blood drives because of the weather," Bernard said. "School blood drives provide 25 percent of our mobile drives. Also, in bad weather, we all want to go straight home. People are hesitant to make that extra stop."
Nearly 600 pints of blood are transfused to patients in the 32 hospitals in 12 counties supplied by Heartland Blood Centers. Heartland Blood has been the sole supplier to Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva since 1945, and to Rush-Copley and Provena Mercy medical centers in Aurora since 1943.
"We haven't been collecting 600 pints a day for the last several weeks," Bernard said. "If you've never donated before, or if it has been a while, come out and give the gift of life."
Local residents can give at the Heartland Blood Center that was opened in August at 3851 E. Main St. in St. Charles. Blood drives have been scheduled in Elburn, Geneva and St. Charles during February. Donors who give at any Heartland Blood Center or mobile location between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28 will be entered in a drawing to win a four-night Disney stay, admission to Disney parks, and airline tickets.
Call the St. Charles center at (630) 377-0393 or visit heartlandbc.org.