Bay Area Blood Banks Issue Emergency Appeal for Blood Donations

January 6, 2004

Less Than One Day’s Supply of Blood on Hand for Bay Area Patients

San Francisco/Oakland/Palo Alto/San Jose, CA January 6, 2004 — Blood banks throughout the Bay Area, including Blood Centers of the Pacific, Stanford Blood Center and the American Red Cross are asking for immediate blood donations to boost critically low blood supplies. In the aftermath of the holiday season and with many of their regular blood donors sick with the flu, blood banks are seeing near-record deficits of blood.

Worsening the situation is the fact that Bay Area blood banks have been unable to receive import shipments of blood from other regions, due to a nationwide shortage of blood.

Blood Centers of the Pacific is reporting that it is already rationing blood to the 40 hospitals they serve, with the Bay Area’s other two blood banks considering the same.

“Of particular concern at this time is our ability to support organ transplants and/or significant traumas,” said Dr. Nora Hirschler, President of Blood Centers of the Pacific. “Organ transplants can require a tremendous amount of blood and these procedures are put in jeopardy with a critical shortage like this.”

According to Mike Sage from the Stanford Blood Center, “The situation is extremely critical here. If there are any significant trauma cases, it would be difficult to supply the needed blood.”

“The fact that all blood organizations are joining in issuing this message underscores the magnitude of the situation,” said Kay Crull, CEO of the American Red Cross, Northern California Region.

All eligible donors are encouraged to call today to schedule a blood donation appointment.

• Blood Centers of the Pacific; 1-888-393-GIVE
• Stanford Blood Center;1-888-723-7831
• American Red Cross;1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543)

Blood Centers of the Pacific
Lisa Bloch
(415) 749-6612

American Red Cross
Sara O’Brien
(510) 594-5205

Stanford Blood Center
Mike Sage
(650) 725-4445