LifeShare Blood Center, with the support of several of its hospital partners, is issuing an emergency appeal. Patient care is severely threatened by the inadequate blood supply that the region has been experiencing for several weeks.

“Unfortunately, for many people, it is a problem you don’t realize exists unless you have a friend or family member in the hospital whose treatment is delayed or postponed because blood is not available,” says LifeShare Regional Director Elizabeth Cunningham in a press release.

LifeShare is currently unable to fill hospital orders. “Hospitals may ask us for 20 units, but they only get 10. We consider an adequate blood supply to be about a 3-5 day supply of red blood cells. This weekend we had as little as an 8 hour supply of some blood type,” says Sr. Director of Blood Operations Benjamin Prijatel.

Hospitals are voicing concern as the crisis reaches a point where patient care is being affected.

LifeShare is asking anyone who is eligible to donate blood to come forward immediately.

Those who are unable to donate PLEASE encourage those who are able to give. Please share this information about the current crisis to their friends and family. “Anyone in the community can help us overcome this situation,” says Cunningham.

You can stop by the donation center at 4020 Summerhill Road in Texarkana,
Texas. You can also call them at (903) 794-3173 or go to lifeShare.org. for locations of blood drives around our area.

 

More From Kicker 102.5