The recent winter blast has had a devastating impact on blood donations across the state, resulting in an emergency plea to the community.
According to Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin:
- 30 community blood drives were cancelled in January
- More than 800 blood donations have been lost due to those cancellations
- More than 500 donor center appointments were cancelled in January
- As a result, more than 1,300 blood donors were lost last month
- In the coming days, Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin is forecasting just a half-day supply of O positive and O negative blood, as well as platelets
The blood center asks that donors schedule an appointment today to donate blood as soon as possible. All blood types are at critically low levels. A drop in blood donations holds consequences for hospital patients throughout Wisconsin.
Donations can be made for an upcoming Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin community blood drive or at any of its nine statewide donor centers in Milwaukee, Greenfield, Marshfield, Manitowoc, Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, Wauwatosa and West Bend.
To make an appointment, call 1-877-232-4376 or go to versiti.org. Anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors who are 16 to give. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date to their appointment.
