Summer vacations set the need in motion for blood donations due to blood shortage
The summer season took a toll on South Texas’ blood supply, leading to a severe blood shortage, with donations dipping to critically low levels, to the point that South Texas Blood & Tissue is relying on blood from other community blood centers to support local hospitals.
The factors that cause our blood supply to diminish, aside from significant patient usage, are high school blood drives cease; donors focus on summer activities; others are off on vacation, or they hesitate to get out in the heat.
Because donations are not keeping up with patient needs and several local hospitals have had trauma cases using dozens of units of blood and in some cases hundreds of units, the community blood supply is severely reduced.
“The need for lifesaving blood doesn’t go away during the summer,” said Dr. Jennifer Rushton, System Medical Director of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Baptist Health System. “Patients undergoing treatment for cancer and other diseases need blood. So do new moms and their babies, and people who have been in accidents.”
Demand is especially high for type O blood, and it is at critically low levels. Currently, STB&T has less than a half-day’s supply of type O blood. This poses a significant threat to our community. While type O blood is most needed, all blood types are strongly encouraged to donate.
Blood shortages put the region’s patients at risk—a single major trauma has the potential to deplete a hospital’s supply of blood in a matter of hours. Dramatically low blood supply levels can lead to the postponement of elective surgeries and treatments. It also leaves the community vulnerable to crisis events that may require large numbers of transfusions, since only the blood already on the shelves can be used in an emergency.
“Having an adequate blood supply is vital to patients and their families throughout South Texas,” said Dr. Joyce Schwartz, Medical Director of Pathology at Methodist Hospital. “Donating blood is convenient and gratifying, with one hour providing a lifesaving gift to someone in need.”
South Texas Blood & Tissue is asking every eligible donor to please give blood as soon as possible—to stop the blood shortage. Several appointments are available at their nine donor center locations and at community blood drives throughout the South Texas region. Donors are encouraged to donate Friday – Sunday, or as soon as possible. Appointments can be scheduled at 210-731-5590 or SouthTexasBlood.org. Walk-ins are welcome.
