Blood Donors Are Urgently Needed

FARMINGTON –– Due to the on-going blood emergency in Connecticut, the American Red Cross, Connecticut Blood Services Region this week instituted a strict blood rationing program for blood type O-positive and O-negative. This plan allows for the maintenance of urgent and emergency care for patients with blood group O at the state’s 31 transfusing hospitals.

Other blood types also will likely be rationed in the near future, if collections do not increase significantly over the coming days and weeks, according to Ritchard Cable, medical director for the American Red Cross, Connecticut Blood Services Region.

The emergency rationing plan was developed earlier this summer in cooperation with the state’s 31 transfusing hospitals after a severe blood shortage following the Independence Day holiday weekend. This shortage resulted in the postponement of elective surgery at some local hospitals for the first time in at least a quarter century. The continuing shortage coupled with the upcoming Labor Day holiday is of particular concern to Red Cross officials.

“A major accident or trauma incident involving large numbers of people could be devastating if blood is not available. Couple that possibility with the donor malaise that typically occurs around Labor Day, and lives are at risk,” Dr Cable said.

“The solution is quite simple,” he said. “Donate blood today.”

Anyone who is 17 or older, weighs 110 pounds or more, is in generally good health and has not donated blood since June 30 is urged to call 800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) to make an appointment to give the “gift of life.”

Appointments also may be made by visiting the website www.bloodct.org.