ALABAMA, USA — As Omicron continues to spread, it's wreaking havoc on blood drives statewide with many being canceled due to schools and businesses going virtual. Alabama hospital leaders are very concerned about having adequate blood for surgical, trauma, and other patients. LifeSouth, the center that supplies blood to the vast majority of Alabama’s hospitals, reports that it currently only has a three-day supply of blood on its shelves for all blood types and no O negative blood.
Selwyn Vickers, Dean of UAB’s School of Medicine and CEO of the UAB Health System, joined other health system and hospital CEOs from around the state for a public service announcement on the urgent need for blood donations. The Alabama Hospital Association is leading the effort across the state as part of its “Every Drop Counts” blood donation campaign. AHA says the current shortage is critical and unlike anything seen in years. Please visit www.LifeSouth.org to schedule an appointment to give blood.
The blood shortage is not just a statewide issue, as nationwide hospitals and health clinics are struggling to find blood donors.
The American Red Cross issued its first-ever blood crisis alert. The organization states, "We’ve witnessed the generosity of blood donors nationwide", and that, "so many [Americans] have rolled up their sleeves to help ensure patients counting on blood product transfusions can receive lifesaving care without delay."
However, as winter presses on, the Red Cross blood supply remains at dangerously low levels. The organization needs people to continue making the earliest-available appointments in their community in the weeks ahead to combat threats to the blood supply – like recent severe winter storms across the country – that can challenge the ability of the Red Cross to recover from our worst blood shortage in more than a decade.
Those who come to give blood Feb. 1-28, 2022, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, thanks to Amazon. (Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/together.)