Bay Area Blood Supplies Critically Low

July 11, 2007

Blood Centers of the Pacific Reporting Only Two Hours’ Supply

Blood Centers of the Pacific (BCP) is asking for immediate blood donations – especially of Type O blood – to boost critically low blood supplies.

Just last week, blood bank officials alerted the public of a possible summertime blood shortage as its inventory of blood supplies declined. As of this afternoon, BCP is reporting only two hours’ supply of Type O blood on its shelves and is unable to fill out orders for Type O blood.

“With the July 4 th holiday last week, many organizations were unable to host blood drives,” said Nora Hirschler, M.D., President of BCP. “If donations do no increase in the next several days, hospitals will likely begin canceling surgeries.”

The shortage is compounded by very high usage in local hospitals. Just last weekend, hospitals reported three liver transplants, several leukemia patients, and a massive trauma requiring more than 150 pints of Type O blood.

In addition, officials report that blood drives scheduled for the next three weeks are 20 percent below what will be needed to meet expected demand.

BCP must provide 500 pints of blood every day to area hospitals to ensure they have an adequate supply.

To donate blood or to sponsor a blood drive, call 888-393-GIVE or visit www.bloodcenters.org.

BCP is a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides volunteer blood donations to 40 hospitals throughout Northern California.

Contact: Angela Woon, BCP
415-749-6698