Area faces emergency shortage of blood

Friday, June 11, 2004 | 8:24 a.m.

United Blood Services announced a state-wide emergency blood shortage Thursday.

The emergency shortage is the result of fewer people donating blood, a problem compounded by a shortage in other cities that can no longer supply blood to local centers, Dan Perlstein, spokesman for United Blood Services, said.

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

The last emergency blood shortage was declared in January, he said.

Perlstein said scheduled donors have been missing appointments at an alarming rate.

"Donors keeping their appointment have decreased dramatically by 23 percent," he said. "Donor apathy, coupled with a nationwide shortage of negative blood types, has directly affected delivery operations for the community's blood supply."

In an effort to stem the emergency shortage, United Blood Services has extended its hours of operations through next week for two blood collections centers: the Green Valley center at 601 Whitney Ranch Rd. and the main center at 6877 West Charleston Blvd.

Interested donors can call the appointment hotline at 233-9620 for further information. Walk-ins will also be accepted.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds. All donors must present proper identification.