Winter wreaks havoc on blood supply; local need is urgent
Severe winter weather has had a devastating effect on the blood supply in many parts of the country, and the need is felt here in Florida.
Northern blood centers are asking their neighbors in the south to help boost their supplies, and blood levels nationwide are critically low.
All blood types are currently needed, but the supply of O negative blood type has dropped dramatically. O negative blood, the universal type, is often used to treat patients in medical emergencies and can quickly fall to critical levels.
Florida’s Blood Centers is appealing to the public for donations of all blood types to boost the local supply. FBC’s first priority is to ensure that local hospitals it serves have a reliable blood supply at all times. After all local needs are met, FBC may provide any additional blood to other centers in need. See our story online by clicking HERE.
Most blood donations are transfused into patients facing planned and unplanned medical procedures at local hospitals within 48 hours.
Donations can be made by walking into any FBC location or on any Big Red Bus. You can find an FBC branch location or make an appointment by calling 888-9DONATE or by visiting www.floridasbloodcenters.org. If you don’t know your blood type, the best way to find out is to donate blood.
To learn more about the tests run on your blood and what happens after you donate click HERE. To learn more about the health benefits of donating blood click HERE .
Did you know? Florida’s Blood Centers:
Provides blood to 70 hospitals throughout the state
Is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make sure our blood meets the highest standards
Maintains state-of-the-art testing equipment and donor facilities to make sure our donors and recipients have a safe and healthy experience
Provides over 350,000 mini-physicals and health screenings for donors each year
Is ready and waiting WHEN YOU NEED US MOST!