While donations have slowed, patients' need for blood has remained constant. Every day, blood is needed to care for trauma patients, people undergoing cancer treatment or surgery, organ transplant recipients, premature babies and others facing serious medical conditions.
Versiti works directly with hospitals throughout the communities it serves, helping ensure blood donated locally is available for patients at local hospitals. As summer travel continues and seasonal donations traditionally decline, every donation helps strengthen the blood supply for the communities that rely on it.
Every blood donation has the potential to help more than one patient. Each donation is carefully tested, processed and distributed to hospitals throughout the region, where it may be used to support emergency care, planned surgeries, cancer treatment and many other lifesaving medical needs. Because blood cannot be manufactured and has a limited shelf life, it must be donated before patients need it. Volunteer blood donors make that possible every day.
"Nearly 15,000 donation appointments were missed across our service area this summer, but patients' need for blood has not slowed," said Julie Cruz, MD, FCAP, senior medical director for Versiti. "Every day, local hospitals depend on volunteer donors to help care for trauma patients, people receiving cancer treatment, surgery patients and many others facing serious medical conditions. If you're eligible, scheduling an appointment in the coming days is one of the most meaningful ways you can help ensure blood is there before it's needed."
Every appointment scheduled before Labor Day helps strengthen the blood supply for local hospitals and ensures patients have access to lifesaving blood when they need it most.
Click here to schedule an appointment at a donor center or community blood drive near you.
Community organizations can also help strengthen the blood supply by partnering with Versiti to host a blood drive. Businesses, schools, churches, civic groups and other organizations provide another opportunity for community members to donate and help ensure blood is available for local patients. To learn more, click here.
