Hurricane Debby to Impact Local Blood Supply; Blood Donors Needed Now
August 05 2024 - 11:46AM
The Blood Connection (TBC), your community blood center, is
currently experiencing an increased need for blood donors as the
coastal Southeast is expected to take a hit from Hurricane Debby.
As Debby makes impact along the coastal areas, TBC expects to
see closures and cancellations in several areas of service. It is
anticipated that TBC will not be able to collect all of the 1,000
donations needed per day to sustain local hospital needs unless
community blood donors step up ahead of the storm and roll up their
sleeves now.
“We are in a critical time window to get the donations we need
before the hurricane so there is no worry about local supply,” said
Delisa English, President and CEO of The Blood Connection. “The
need for blood donors never stops. Saving lives is TBC’s
responsibility and that doesn’t change when the weather does. Local
hospital patients are counting on us.”
TBC is asking community donors to help us stabilize the blood
supply both locally and for our neighbors through the Southeast.
Blood cannot be created; it must be donated, and it is crucial that
hospitals have the lifesaving blood products for patients in
need.
Blood donations in Upstate South Carolina, Western North
Carolina, Raleigh, and Virginia will be even more vital this week
to make sure the local blood supply holds steady throughout the
storm and as impacted areas deal with the aftereffects of the
storm. TBC provides blood products to more than 120 hospitals in
four states (both Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia), some of which
are along the East Coast. As those communities prepare for the
hurricane, blood donors in other communities farther inland are
being asked to support those unable to donate because of the
hurricane.
To make an appointment at one of our 16 donation centers, or to
find a mobile blood drive near you, visit
thebloodconnection.org/donate. Appointments are encouraged
but not required.
Hosting blood drives is also essential through this increased
time of need. To host a blood drive, please visit
thebloodconnection.org/host.
About The Blood Connection
Founded in Greenville, SC, The Blood Connection has been
committed to saving lives since 1962. TBC is an independently
managed, not-for-profit, community blood center that provides blood
products to over 120 hospitals within South Carolina, North
Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. TBC works diligently to collect
blood from volunteer donors to meet the ever-increasing demand. By
keeping collections local, TBC serves hundreds of thousands of
patients a year in its communities. TBC is licensed and regulated
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information,
visit thebloodconnection.org.
Ellen Kirtner
The Blood Connection
9842221104
ekirtner@thebloodconnection.org