Vitalant declares blood supply emergency
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WHEELING -- The organization that supplies blood to several area hospitals -- Vitalant -- declared a blood emergency on Monday.
Vitalant, formerly known as the Central Blood Bank, collects donated blood to supply hospitals including WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital, WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital, WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital, Weirton Medical Center and East Liverpool City Hospital, said Kristen Lane, communications manager for Vitalant Blood Donation Northeast Division.
Vitalant's supply has dropped by almost half since the beginning of summer.
To help meet the need, a Wheeling Community Blood Drive, hosted by Vitalant, is slated to take place from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Highlands Sports Complex.
People can walk in, but appointments are recommended, and can be made by visiting vitalant.org or calling (877) 258-4825.
Lane said the company hopes to collect at least 30 units of blood during the drive.
She said the shortage is attributed to donation rates being lower in general due to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with regular donors being on vacation this summer.
"This is an unprecedented situation," Lane said. "This is the lowest it's been in my memory."
Lane said it is important for donors to know that once they donate blood it takes 48 hours for it to be tested, processed and shipped to hospitals.
"Hospitals need people to donate during these critical weeks," said Dr. Ralph Vassallo, Vitalant chief medical and scientific officer. "Patient blood needs don't conform to a predictable schedule. Several patients may experience emergencies, while a planned surgery could suddenly require dozens of units of blood for one patient. Hospitals must have blood available to take care of everyone."
Lane said Type O blood is the most used blood type. Recently O-postive blood has decreased to a one-day supply. The organization wants to have at least a four-day supply on hand.
During the month of August, donors will receive a $6 prepaid gift card they can redeem through e-mail. They also will be entered to win one of five gift cards worth $3,000.
Vitalant's ongoing local blood drives include:
≤ 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Howard Long Wellness Center, 800 Medical Park Drive, Wheeling; and
≤ 1 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 300 Three Springs Drive, Weirton.