Oklahoma is dealing with a blood provide scarcity and desperately wants donors. The Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) says it’s misplaced lots of of O unfavourable blood items as a result of provide points.
“Blood, it’s just the life blood of our hospital system,” stated Carson Cunningham, the Public Relations Manager on the Oklahoma Blood Institute.
OBI gives greater than 90 % of the blood within the state.
“Our entire hospital system relies on having it on the shelf,” Cunningham stated.
However, lots of of items are wanted to get these cabinets restocked with O unfavourable, which is the one common blood kind and at all times in demand.
“When certain trauma situations happen, there are emergency situations if they don’t know someone’s blood type, they immediately use the O negative,” he stated.
Cunningham says with holidays approaching, there may be at all times a dip in donors, however a provide chain challenge on sure specialised luggage is inflicting the OBI to fall brief.
“We have this power red program where folks can donate two units instead of just one unit, but it takes these specialized bags, but we don’t have the supplies to take it in, so that’s been really frustrating,” stated Cunningham.
OBI is asking on donors with kind O unfavourable to return donate. Donors like Sue Jay, who donates platelets each two weeks.
“I work in the medical field, or I have, and I know how important blood products, platelets are because there’s always a need for it,” Jay stated. “It’s my way of giving back.”
John Toole misplaced his spouse to most cancers and is aware of how essential donations are to these struggling.
“She had a brain tumor and she had chemo and used platelets,” he stated.
Now Toole drives from Harrah each three weeks to donate for others.
“Seeing that impact with them, I think goes a long way for people, that hear their story, it can make a difference,” Cunningham stated.
By donating at OBI, your donation stays in Oklahoma.
“It’s going right down the road to the hospital nearest you that is for certain,” he stated.
Donating blood takes about an hour and may save as much as three lives. Donors could make appointments and discover donation places at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777.
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