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One area hospital supplied by Central Blood Bank has a short supply of O-negative blood, while another client of the blood bank has been unaffected by the regional shortage.
Terri Allar, laboratory manager of WVU Medicine-Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale, said, "We have experienced shortage of O-negative blood. This seems to be a national shortage. This time of year is especially hard for blood banks due to people being on vacation, kids out of school, etc., so donations are much lighter."
At Wheeling Hospital, Gregg Warren, vice president of marketing and public relations, said, "The Central Blood Bank does supply our blood. However, we have not experienced a shortage and continue to meet our patients' needs."
Central Blood Bank is calling on the community to give blood this summer in an effort to rebuild both local and national blood supplies and to prepare for unexpected events. Officials said blood supplies across the country remain at dangerously low levels after a severe decline in donations.
Central Blood Bank, which serves nearly 50 hospitals, is the blood services provider for Barnesville Hospital, Wheeling Hospital and WVU Medicine-Reynolds Memorial Hospital. Central Blood Bank also serves WVU Medicine, Ruby Memorial Hospital, United Hospital Center, Berkeley Medical Center, Jefferson Medical Center, Camden Clark Medical Center, Potomac Valley Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital.
Donations from O-negative donors, known as the "universal" blood type, are especially important this time of year because of increased accidents and trauma cases. The current O-negative blood supply sits at an approximate two-day supply, which is half of the ideal quantity necessary to support patient needs.
Additionally, platelet donations, which have a shelf-life of only five days, are in high demand. However, donors with all blood types are needed.
Approximately 800 donations are needed weekly to serve as many as 2,400 patients in Central Blood Bank's service area. Deficits are projected to continue through August. The significant nationwide decline in donations has led to this coordinated call on the public to donate blood.
"Patients, their families and the hospitals in Ohio and West Virginia that Central Blood Bank serves depend on us to deliver on our promise to provide a safe and ample blood supply," said Charles Wilcox, president of Central Blood Bank. "Don't take a vacation from blood donation. In about an hour, one donor can save up to three lives by giving blood."
Existing and first-time donors of all blood types can visit online at donateblood.centralbloodbank.org or call 866-366-6771 to schedule an appointment at one of the blood bank's donor centers or at a mobile blood drive. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-in donors are welcome at any location.
In Wheeling, the donor center at Howard Long Wellness Center, 800 Medical Park, collects whole blood from 2-6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
A donor center at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 300 Three Springs Drive, Weirton, is open from 12:30-5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month and from 1-6:15 p.m. on all other Mondays.
Upcoming mobile drives in the area include one at Elks Lodge 1699, located at 117 N. Chestnut St., Barnesville, from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 10. Donors are asked to use group code C1130022 when registering online or call 412-209-7241 to schedule an appointment.
Individuals who are 18 years of age -- or 16 and 17 with parental consent -- and weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health may be eligible to donate blood.