Type O blood donors sought as Lee faces ‘severe’ shortage
Lee Health is experiencing a severe shortage of both Type O-Negative and Type O-Positive blood, with supplies running 25 percent below minimum, and health care system is asking the public to donate.
Because blood Type O can be used for anyone, Type O is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals, like the five served by the Lee Heath Blood Centers, officials said, adding that Lee Health relies on donors who come into the Blood Centers or participate in mobile blood drives.
“All blood donated stays at Lee Health and helps patients in our community,” Lee Health said in a release issued Wednesday afternoon. “We are asking for the community’s support to help make sure we have enough blood.”
The system needs about 800 units of blood per day to serve its primary and specialty hospitals.
Most individuals can donate donate.
Donor requirements, according to the Lee Health web site include:
– To donate blood you must:
* Weigh at least 115 lbs.
* Be at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent
* Provide photo ID, if new donor
– Reasons you may be deferred from donating
There are several reasons a potential donor is deferred from donating, including:
* Currently ill – colds, flu, sore throat – and/or being treated for an illness.
* Recent dental surgery ( no infection and off antibiotics)
* Other blood or plasma donation within the last 8 weeks
* History of hepatitis
* Positive HIV test
– There are many medications that you can take and still be allowed to donate, including:
* Blood pressure medications – provided that your B/P is within normal limits
* Cholesterol medications
* Aspirin, Tylenol or similar medication
If you are on a prescription medication and it is not mentioned above, check with the Lee Memorial Blood Center staff for further clarification.
Lee Health has blood centers located at each of its hospitals, and in the Bonita Community Health Center.
Locations include:
* Lee Memorial Hospital
2776 Cleveland Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: 239-343-2333
Hours:
Mon., Tues., Wed., & Fri.
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thurs. 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
* Summerlin Crossings
15880 Summerlin Road,
Suite 113
Fort Myers, FL 33908
Phone: 239-437-5061
Hours:
Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wed. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
* Cape Coral Hospital
636 Del Prado Blvd.
Cape Coral, FL 33990
Phone: 239-424-2400
Hours:
Mon., Wed., Thurs., & Fri.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tues. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
* Bonita Community Health Center
3501 Health Center Boulevard,
Suite 2011
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Phone: 239-495-4372
Hours:
Monday – Friday
8a.m. – 4p.m.
Lee Health is also hosting a blood drive in Cape Coral next Saturday in conjunction with the Cape Coral chapter of Zonta International.
The drive will be held at the Publix in Cape Coral Landings, 127 Cape Coral Pkwy. W.
For more information visit www.leehealth.org/bloodcenter .