MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — An emergency has been declared as blood supplies are at critically low levels, and the winter storm earlier this week is said to be the cause.
The Connecticut Blood Center (CTBC) declared a blood emergency after the first major snowstorm of the winter season on Tuesday. Nearly 100 appointments were canceled due to lower donor turnout and canceled blood drives.
"Beyond just the snow storm and snow falling, we have illnesses and viruses that are going around, so that prevents people from coming out to donate and suppresses and strains that supply," Jonathan Decasanova, an account manager at CTBC, told FOX61 Friday.
The region is at a 1-to-2-day supply level, but it should be at a 5-to-7-day supply level, according to the CTBC.
"These alarming levels come following a difficult February, in which blood centers across our enterprise saw some of the worst donation levels in over five years," the CTBC said in a statement.
The Connecticut and Rhode Island Blood Centers need to collect 250 donations each day to help meet the demand for the patients and hospitals.
"The supply hasn’t caught up to the demand that has skyrocketed from hospitals," Decasanova said.
CTBC said that there is an urgent need for all blood types but especially Blood type O and platelets. These are at a crisis level of less than a day's supply, and it's caused by a few factors. Type O+ is the most common blood type, while O- is the only universal blood type that can be given in cases of emergency. Platelets are most commonly used to help cancer patients.
“Our supply remains at critical levels as demand surges beyond pre-pandemic levels, said Beau Tompkins, Vice President of CTBC. "We need Southern New Englanders to roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life to help us stabilize the supply.”
"You can save three lives with just one donation," Decasanova said.
During the month of March, CTBC is also doing a special promotion to encourage donations during this challenging time. All presenting donors will be entered into a weekly drawing for an e-gift card for Apple or Beat earbuds.
Doug Stewart is the Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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