LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Our Blood Institute, which is the only provider of blood to the central Arkansas area and Fort Smith, declared an emergency blood shortage in the state following the most recent winter storm.
The nonprofit blood provider said Tuesday that they only have one to two days of supply left which they say is well below their “safe stock level.”
“January is always a difficult time, as blood donations are typically slow during the holidays and in the weeks following, and the winter weather is magnifying the problem,” Dr. John Armitage, Our Blood Institute president and CEO, said in a statement. “Since the start of the year, blood donations are lagging significantly and fewer people are donating. We urgently ask the public to step up and help secure their community blood supply.”
OBI said with lower donations, they are currently sending more blood to local hospitals than they are bringing in. They said if the shortage continues, it could impact critical treatments for cancer, scheduled surgeries, and all types of transfusions.
Blood has no substitute,” Armitage said. “Patients across the state rely on blood products to fight cancer, survive trauma and heal after childbirth. Blood donation takes about an hour and can save up to three lives.”
Eligible donors who are 16 years old or older who donate successfully will receive a glow-in-the-dark “When I’m Not Hibernating, I’m Donating Blood” T-shirt.
The American Red Cross last week said they were experiencing an emergency blood shortage, reporting the lowest donations in two decades.
Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%.
Red Cross Divisional Chief Medical Officer Dr. Baia Lasky told The National Desk that she didn’t know the reason for the decline.
“What we do know is that there are just fewer donors coming out,” Lasky said. “We know that during the winter months it can be particularly challenging because, you know, we have the winter storms that inhibits our ability to run drives.”
Lasky said they are in need of Type O blood more than others due to their near-universal match.
Arkansans hoping to donate blood can visit obi.org or call 877-340-8777 to make an appointment.
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The National Desk contributed to this report.
