Blood Shortage Leads to Call for Donors
United Blood Services has issued a call for donors because of an unusual summer shortage of blood in Ventura County.
“There is nothing in our refrigerators,†Executive Director Carolyn Tyner said. “We have nothing.†Tyner said hospitals throughout the county each have about five-day supplies on hand.
“But we’re running around like chickens, swapping blood types with each other,†Tyner said.
Tyner said the center is 100 pints short of what is needed to supply normal hospital orders. And with the expected increase in traffic accidents during the long Fourth of July weekend, the blood bank expects an increase in demand, Tyner said.
She said the bank’s supply typically dwindles during the summer because donors are busy with vacations and other activities. But she said a shortage this severe and early in the summer is unusual.
United Blood Services must draw 105 donors a day to meet its typical demand. Tyner said the bank needs 700 donors in the next six days to get back to normal.
The center especially needs O positive, O negative and A positive blood types, Tyner said.
United Blood Services has centers in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Ventura, which will be open today. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling 654-8104.
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