A critically low supply of blood in southeast Michigan has driven hospitals to appeal for more blood donations.
“We have a huge problem with blood supply in Southeastern Michigan, it’s not just Beaumont Health there’s other systems dealing with this. We’re looking at surgeries and can we provide this surgery because of the risk of blood loss because we might not have enough blood supply,’’ said Dr. Christopher Carpenter, infectious diseases specialist and chair of Internal Medicine at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak.
“The more people can get out and donate, that is going to be very helpful in this regard,’’ he added.
Blood donations through the American Red Cross are down about 10% in the region.
“The hospital demand is outpacing donations. It’s been going on for a couple months,’’ said Meghan Lehman, American Red Cross regional communications director, Michigan region.
“We believe it is due to the continued effects of the pandemic. We’ve had blood drive cancellations and some donor apprehensions a little still. It’s pretty typical around this time of year that we will see a dip in donors due to vacations, back to school,’’ Lehman said.
“Now we’re in the fall, hopefully things will be getting back on track. This call for donors is definitely needed,’’ she added.
The Red Cross has been making donation appeals for two months.
“In the beginning of this it was attributed to people scheduling elective surgeries that they had put off for months and months, as well as a rise in trauma,’’ Lehman said.
To donate whole blood you must be in good health and feeling well, 16 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors must wait 56 days between appointments.
The donation process usually takes one hour, including registration, a brief medical screening and blood collection. Donors must show a photo ID such as a driver’s license.
“The more people can donate we can get to safer levels and provide better care,’’ Carpenter said.
The best way to make an appointment is at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.
Or make an appointment to donate through Versiti Blood Center of Michigan at Versiti.org.
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September 19, 2021 at 01:00AM
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Low blood supply a ‘huge problem’ for Southeast Michigan hospitals - The Oakland Press
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