NEWARK, Del.- The Blood Bank of Delmarva is saying that the Mid-Atlantic region's blood supply has never been lower and is issuing an urgent call for donors.
In a release sent out by the BBD, it says that the critical blood shortage comes from an increase demand for blood, and a decline in the donor base. The BBD also said to maintain a safe blood supply, it likes to keep a seven-day inventory of all blood types to be continually replenished. The BBD says right now, the reserves are below that.
User: Blood Bank of Delmarva To: link
BBD listed the following factors, leading up to the current shortage:
- Decline in overall donor base
- Decline in first-time donors
- Decline in repeat donations
“Our friends and neighbors across the nation and the region need more blood products, and yet the number of donors has been declining,” said Richard Thomas, senior executive director at the Blood Bank of Delmarva. “We’re asking the community to come together so everyone in the region has access to the lifesaving blood they need.”
The BBD says that it takes only one hour to donate blood, and a single donation can be used to save multiple lives. The blood bank also says that its primary objective is to provide blood products to meet patient needs in the 19 hospitals within the Delmarva region.
BBD says that many patients and victims are in need. It is also asking for donors with the O-Negative blood type to come out and donate as they are the "universal donor," and their blood can be used in emergencies.
A list of locations to donate can be found on the website, www.delmarvablood.org as well as times and ways to sign up to become a donor.
