JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Blood centers in our area and around the country are facing a dangerously low blood supply.
Blood may not be available to patients in need if people don’t step up during this critical time and donate.
Victor Gorday has been donating blood and platelets for almost 50 years.
He does it so his blood can save lives at local hospitals.
“Accidents don’t stop on the holidays,” Gorday said.
The blood supply at OneBlood is sent to 250 hospitals in 5 different states to help with surgeries, emergencies, and more.
OneBlood said blood centers everywhere are facing a critical shortage; the worst some have seen in decades.
Normally, a blood center like OneBlood would have enough supply on hand for two to three days but now it’s down to a one-day supply.
The winter months are always a challenge since people are traveling and on holiday break but the pandemic is only making that situation worse.
“What happened to blood centers all across the country is the traditional blood drive sites no longer exist. Corporations, companies where people come together, high schools, colleges still are not back to 100% and that accounts for about 20% of our blood drives and our blood donations,” said Pat Michaels, OneBlood Director of Media and Public Relations.
One Blood said while there’s a need for all types of blood, O negative is especially needed since that blood can be given to anyone.
Gorday is hoping others will follow his lead and donate.
He said it’s a pretty easy process.
“If you’re lazy this is a good way to do it,” Gorday said. Just sitting still is the only hard part, he said.
It only takes about 45 minutes to donate blood and two to two-and-a-half hours to donate platelets.
OneBlood does accept walk-ins or you can sign up to make an appointment online.
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