Coronavirus responses have severely impacted the U.S. blood supply as Vitalant and other blood centers across the country are struggling to maintain stable inventories.
With school closures and workers at home, 25% of Vitalant’s blood collections anticipated in March have disappeared—almost overnight. And that number continues to grow. Through the end of June, Vitalant—the nation’s second largest blood collector—has had over 1,400 blood drives canceled, resulting in nearly 41,000 uncollected blood donations.
Vitalant asks that healthy donors schedule an appointment for a donation over the coming days and weeks by calling 877-258-4825 or visit vitalant.org.
The Acadia Parish Fire District 4 and VFW Post 8971 are sponsoring a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the VFW Post 8971 Hall, 3809 Hwy. 190, Eunice.
Donor may sign up online at bloodsystems.com/ Sponsor Code: fire district.
FEMA has specifically identified blood donation as an “essential and integral component of the emergency support function” as ongoing guidance from government entities recommend that people avoid gatherings, practice social distancing and stay home.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages people who are well to continue to donate blood as it is an essential activity, even amidst COVID-19 response measures. “In health care settings all across the United States, donated blood is a lifesaving, essential part of caring for patients,” the CDC declared in a March 19 statement. “CDC is supporting blood centers by providing recommendations that will keep donors and staff safe…and encouraging donors to make donation appointments ahead of time.”
Dr. Ralph Vassallo, Vitalant’s chief medical and scientific officer, said, “Our blood collection sites are a ‘first response’ action to this outbreak versus a gathering that needs to be avoided. If you’re healthy, you’re needed now more than ever. We cannot let it get to the point where there’s no blood available for trauma patients, those undergoing cancer treatment and patients who need regular, ongoing blood transfusions just to survive.”
Sick people should not donate blood; blood centers do not test for COVID-19 or the virus that causes it. Blood centers have always required individuals to be in good health to donate, and the blood collection process follows policies established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the health and safety of donors and patients. Vitalant staff follow rigorous safety and disinfection protocols at its blood drives and donation centers. Giving blood has no impact on the donor’s immune system.
