Published: March 21, 2008 07:03 pm            

Blood shortage could cripple holiday weekend

By Debby Schamber

The Orange Leader



The holidays generally leave LifeShare blood center with a short supply of blood, but they are especially low this Easter weekend after their supply of O-negative blood has almost been depleted.

As a result, officials with LifeShare have issued an urgent appeal for blood donors to assist with the situation.

“We have a patient who is using a large quantity of blood,” said Libby Murphy, director of development and public relations of LifeShare Blood Centers. “To protect patient privacy, we cannot discuss the particulars of the patient’s condition. However, we ask the public to help this person and others who will need blood in the coming days.”

Officials searched other regional blood centers, but came up empty handed since they too were experiencing shortages and did not have an excess blood inventory to share. Therefore, the search is on for blood donors.

During a holiday weekend, blood usage is expected to go up since more people are traveling and the number of vehicle accidents increase.

Officials are fearful of coming up short this Easter weekend in the event of major car accidents. One accident victim can use as much as 50 pints of blood and sometimes even more.

“When you consider that an individual can give one unit of blood at a time, but a patient may use many units of blood, it’s easy to understand why the blood supply can be quickly depleted,” Murphy said. “We hope that people will help this patient and others in need, especially now and in the spirit of the Easter season.”

All blood types are needed, but especially O-negative. Potential donors must be a least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more. They should also know the name and purpose of any medication taken and should eat a good meal and increase fluid intake prior to donation.

Donors may give blood at LifeShare Blood Centers located at 4305 Laurel in Beaumont. The center is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Anyone who donates blood with LifeShare Blood Centers in Beaumont during the month of March will be entered to win a $2,000 travel voucher to the destination of their choice or free pizza for a year.

For more information about blood donation or to find a conveniently located mobile blood drive, call 409-838-5289 or visit www.lifeshare.org.



Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2613, or dschamber@orangeleader.com

        

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