Bay Area Blood Shortage Continues

January 29, 2007

Critical Blood Shortage Now in its Third Week

Blood Centers of the Pacific (BCP) is continuing to ask for immediate blood donations of all blood types to boost critically low blood supplies. As of this morning, BCP is reporting:

• A deficit of more than 400 pints of blood
• Heavy usage of blood due to traumas and several organ transplants
• Inability to receive enough blood imports from outside the state, which usually make up 20 percent of the Bay Area’s blood supply
• Serious concern over region’s ability to respond to an emergency, such as a natural disaster

Blood donations are used to treat trauma patients, those undergoing organ transplantation, new mothers and their babies, and cancer patients, among others. BCP must provide 500 pints of blood every day to area hospitals to ensure they have an adequate supply.

Blood Centers of the Pacific is a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides volunteer blood donations to patients in 41 hospitals throughout Northern California. BCP has donation locations throughout the region.

To donate blood, call 888-393-GIVE or visit www.bloodcenters.org.

Contact: Lisa Bloch, BCP
415-749-6612