JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There’s a growing need for blood donations—both nationwide and in Northeast Florida.
Hospitals are seeing a higher demand for blood and you can help ease the search.
Right now, hospitals like Baptist Health like to have several days’ supply of blood -- three days is a good number. But some are dealing with supplies of a day or two.
Hospitals are noticing a demand for blood donations as more people are getting treatment or medical care that was delayed during a good portion of the pandemic.
And demand usually increases as things warm up and people begin to travel more, raising the chances for more traumas and emergencies.
“It’s literally a pinch, a couple of minutes out of your day and you can save somebody’s life,” said Lance Liggett, a police officer who donates blood every three weeks. “There are very few things in the world where you can get to have that kind of impact.”
“It is needed. It is not something that can be replaced and it is really a gift one human can give to another,” said Britie Whitaker of LifeSouth.
Dr. David Holloman with Baptist Health said while there’s a need for all blood types—there’s always the greatest need for Type O because it is considered universal, although any blood donation is good.
Platelet donations are also crucial but have to be used within five days.
“I know that we always think of donating blood and times when there are catastrophes or large traumas or things like that, but the fact that the matter is every day, blood donations save the lives of babies, and grandma’s and other people who are taking care of at the hospital,” said Holloman.
You can donate at blood drives or at the mobile buses around town, it doesn’t have to be for a specific hospital.