As COVID-19 continues to impact everyday life, the need for blood is urgent.
Dr. Jerry Gottschall from Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin tells SeehaferNews.com that the coronavirus caused the cancellation of blood drives at schools and other mobile sites in recent weeks, resulting in the loss of half of their donations.
Dr. Gottschall says it “wasn’t that long ago” that the supply was more than adequate. ”We got this enormously good response from the community,” Gottschall said. “We had a great supply of blood back in April and very early May, but blood only lasts for 42 days.”
The doctor explained on WOMT’s Idea Exchange Program that inventories “have slowly gone down” as they enter a critical time. As hospitals go back to allowing elective surgeries to take place, the amount of blood they will need will rise. Also, more trauma related surgeries will take place over the summer months on average, which will also require even more blood.
Dr. Gottschall added, they’re so dependent on people coming into their fixed sites, like the center on Reed Avenue in Manitowoc. He says all types of blood are needed right now, particularly O-negative and O-positive.
To make an appointment you can either call 1-877-BE-A-HERO (1-877-232-4976) or, go to their websit, versiti.org/wisconsin.
