Blood donations fall, straining local supplies
As summer vacations and outdoor activities pull residents away from donation centers, local blood banks are facing one of their most difficult times of the year.
Jeff James, regional manager of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, said the organization sees the same trend each year as regular donors travel and adjust their routines.
“A lot of people do crazy things in the summertime that leads to more need and less donations,” James said. “Regular donors don’t donate as often as they usually do.”
James also noted many regular donors are cautious of donating blood during periods of extreme heat as the loss of blood volume can impact circulation and blood pressure.
Area hospitals serviced by LifeSouth include Russellville Hospital, Red Bay Hospital, North Alabama Medical Center, Helen Keller Hospital, Shoals Hospital, Athens-Limestone Hospital and Decatur Morgan Hospital.
LifeSouth District Community Development Coordinator Becky Cecil said high school students who participate in blood drives throughout the school year make up a large population of north Alabama’s donors.
The result is a seasonal shortage, with Type O blood in critical demand — meaning that hospitals are using more blood than the center can provide.
The reason Type O blood is highly sought after is due to its versatility. Type O positive blood can be donated to any positively associated blood type, including A positive, B positive, AB positive or to another O positive.
Type O negative blood is far rarer but can be given to patients of any blood type — making individuals with O negative blood universal donors.
James said there is also a strong need for red blood cells, plasma and platelets. LifeSouth supplies blood for more than 60 hospitals and EMS services in the state.Cecil explained the north Alabama region services the top stretch of the state as well as parts of Tennessee and Mississippi close to the state lines.
“At the end of the day, all of the blood collected will be couriered to our center in Madison for testing before being redistributed,” Cecil said.
“Everything you donate here stays in the community. Your product stays local,” James said.
