Severe weather conditions have caused shortages at blood centers across the nation. Lane Blood Center itself is experiencing extreme deficits due to low donations and higher usage.
By January 10th, Lane Blood Center was already short 800 pints of blood. The Center’s Chelsie Wong says the situation is only getting worse.
“One problem that we’re facing system-wide throughout blood works is that the impact is just moving north," says Wong. "So we haven’t gotten back on our feet and now the blood centers in Portland and Vancouver are struggling and they’re facing drive cancelations. The entire situation continues to be compounded. Normally we would be attempting to share resources but there are no resources to share at this time.”
The Center services hospitals across Oregon and supplies 50% of Portland’s blood. Reasons for the shortage include low donations due to seasonal illnesses and weather conditions. Increased usage, possibly due to a rise in car accidents, has also contributed to the shortage. A single accident patient may need 60 to 100 pints of blood.
This week Lane Blood Center has seen an increase in donors. However Wong says it takes one emergency to deplete resources, so donations are needed as much as ever.
For more information on blood donations, visit http://lanebloodcenter.org/