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In dire need

Destructive weather season could tax already dwindling blood supplies

A destructive weather season could be approaching, with experts predicting possibly 10 or more storms with hurricane-strength winds later this year.

With a possible crisis imminent, medical officials said they are seeking additional volunteers to step up and donate blood.

“We need everything right now,” said Lisa Landis, the communications and marketing director for the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region. “There is not any one type of blood we are looking for. We desperately need willing donors to step in and donate blood.”

Several blood drives are scheduled locally in the coming weeks, and officials said they are amping up efforts to collect blood, plasma and platelets.

“There are no alternatives or ways to create blood,” Dr. Sharif Ali said. “The only way we can help people and save lives is through blood donors. It is so vital that people, who are able, step up and donate,” the doctor of hematopathology with the Conemaugh Health System said. “Donating blood saves lives.”

American Red Cross collection specialist Lisa Connor prepares Samantha Jones during a blood drive Feb. 3, 2017. American Red Cross officials are amping up efforts to replenish low blood supplies. Mirror file photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Members from the Red Cross said they are expecting a severe blood shortage this year, and in the last three months, the Red Cross has distributed about 75,000 more blood products than expected.

Many local hospitals are now allowing elective surgeries again after previously postponing them due to COVID-19, and the increase of surgeries, trauma cases and organ transplants is expected to deplete the supply of blood as well.

“People are finally able to have these elective surgeries performed,” Landis said. “That is really going to decrease our supply of blood as well.”

The increased distribution of blood has significantly decreased the nation’s supply of blood, and Landis said summer is one of the hardest times of the year to find donors willing to give.

COVID-19 also factored heavily into the depleted supply, medical professionals said, as quarantines and social-distancing mandates greatly reduced the number of eligible donors.

With possible natural disasters expected — and ensuing trauma cases — health professionals said donated blood is the first line of defense for saving someone’s life.

“For almost any trauma, getting a patient blood is the starting point,” Ali said. “Before we can even discover the root of the problem, we need to give the patient blood just to keep them alive.”

Officials from the Red Cross said just one pint of blood could save up to three lives, and people able to donate plasma could help save even more.

Donors can provide a platelet and plasma donation at the same time, professionals said.

Although there might be medical conditions or family history that prevent some from donating blood, medical professionals said giving blood could be healthy for those who are able.

Patients are screened prior to each donation, and the exam could help discover underlying health conditions, Ali said.

The American Journal of Epidemiology states that 88% of blood donors are less likely to suffer a heart attack as donating increases blood flow, and Ali said routine blood donation can increase white and red blood cell production.

“For those that are able, it is very healthy to give blood at least once every 12 months,” Ali said. “The body is continuously creating and replacing white and red blood cells, and for people who donate, it enhances bone marrow production to create new cells.”

Above all else, professionals said donating blood can provide a boost to an individual’s mental health as well.

“There’s no better feeling than knowing that your blood donation may give someone a second chance at life,” said Dr. Russell Dumire, who is the trauma medical director at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.

Anyone interested in donating blood can make an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.

Mirror Staff Writer Calem Illig is at 814-946-7535.

Blood donations needed

Blood donations can be accepted locally at the following locations:

* 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today: Young People’s Community Center, 300 Prave St., Ebensburg.

* 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday: New Enterprise Church of the Brethren, 3729 Brumbaugh Road, New Enterprise.

* 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday: Altoona Blood Donation Center, 415 Orchard Ave., Altoona

* 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday: Jaffa Shrine, 2200 Broad Ave., Altoona

* 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday: St. Benedict Church, Main Street, Carrolltown.

* 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday: Logan Valley Mall, Goods Lane and Plank Road, Altoona

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