A time to give

Heather Rawlyk

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003 | 11:16 a.m.

Ron Hein, executive director for the local blood supplier, said Wednesday the valley "will likely face a full blown emergency shortage by Christmas if blood donations don't increase soon -- very soon."

An emergency shortage is declared when the blood bank has less than a one-day supply of blood for the 20 area hospitals it serves, spokesman Dan Perlstein said. United Blood Services typically aims for a five-day supply of blood in the bank, but currently has a three-day supply, Perlstein said.

That dwindling supply has prompted three public warnings sent to the media within a week.

"We usually put out informationals, but this time it's different. It's an unusually stern warning from our directors, and it's a kind of warning we are really not used to."

November blood collections decreased 1,250 units from October's figures, according to Perlstein. As a result, United Blood Services was forced to import 1,225 units of blood from sources outside Nevada. That set a new local record for imported blood, he said.

The decrease came despite a surge of donations after magician Roy Horn was attacked by his tiger during a performance at the Mirage Hotel, Oct. 3.

Many residents may believe that the surge allowed United Blood Services to stock up, but that isn't the case, Perlstein said.

"We received 211 units during the Roy incident, and that number is really great," he said. "But it was still less than a day's worth. It was a tremendous amount of blood, but when you look at it over the scope of needs, it didn't even last a day."

The average daily demand is about 220 units of blood, Perlstein said.

"It was so wonderful and amazing seeing the outpouring support for Roy and the community," he said. "We appreciate every single drop, but it didn't last for days like people think. It actually lasted less than a day."

Perlstein hopes to see a similar rally from the community during the blood shortage this holiday season.

Perlstein said United Blood Services has not had an emergency shortage since early 2002.

To provide an opportunity for blood donors to help local patients, United Blood Services will be open for longer hours through Jan. 9.

The offices will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Perlstein said he was not sure why there is such a severe blood shortage this season, but he figures it is due to three factors: the spread of the flu, the holiday season and apathy.

"It has been a particularly bad flu season," he said. "So people can't come in or think they can't."

The rule is, a person will need to be off of antibiotics for at least three days to be able to donate blood, Perlstein said.

Hectic holiday schedules also keep locals from donating, said Shirley Taylor, who was taking blood at the United Blood Services office in Green Valley Wednesday afternoon.

"People are so busy during the holidays that giving blood isn't a priority for them," she said. "Really it should be one of the biggest priorities because we need to stock up for Christmas and New Year's."

The third cause, apathy, is also a variable during the holiday season, Perlstein said.

"People tell themselves that someone else will give and they don't have to do it," he said. "They think someone will be there in their place, but they're not."

Appointment cancellations are also becoming an issue, Perlstein said. United Blood Services has had businesses cancel scheduled blood drives due to inconvenience, he said.

"We have had a tragic number of cancellations in businesses because of apathy," he said. "They cancel because it isn't convenient. That is the number one thing people have told us, that it's inconvenient at this time."

Besides the large demand for blood during the holidays, Perlstein is also concerned for the new year.

"The issue concerns me beyond this month," he said. "We have two new hospitals opening next year, and we're projecting that each hospital will use 4,000 units per year. I just don't know where we're going to come up with 8,000 more units when we're struggling to get through December."

United Blood Services is hoping that once the word is out, more locals and companies will sign up for holiday blood drives.

"Usually when we get the word out, people respond," Perlstein said. "The city is very good about that, and right now we need people to be faithful to giving blood."

Suzanne Jermon proved to be faithful Wednesday afternoon, taking a time-out from her schedule to donate blood at the United Blood Services office in Green Valley.

"I come at least three times a year and I've been doing that since 1991," she said. "I definitely believe this is one of the best things a person can do. It costs nothing and takes little time."

In a chair nearby, Chris Spear had his sleeve rolled up; he was ready to donate.

"I've been giving blood for 20 years," he said. "People need to come and do it, especially during the holidays. It's this time of year people are always getting in car accidents and really need it."