|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Local blood supplies low, donors needed
Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 |
ST. PETERSBURG - Blood drive cancellations on Monday and Tuesday, coupled with overall low donor turnout and continuing patient needs has left Tampa Bays' community blood supply at dangerously low levels.
"This past week we issued 1,100 more units of blood than were donated," said JB Gaskins, Florida Blood Services vice president. "With families and high school donors out on vacation, summertime is always difficult for us to keep the supply up to meet patient demand.
Gaskins said keeping us with demand was made more difficult this week with the uncertainty of where Fay was headed causing blood drive cancellations and a drop in donations at existing drives.
“We have imported 35 units of single donor platelets this week but have been unsuccessful in trying to ship in units of types O negative and A negative blood from other Blood Centers, Gaskins said. “Our local citizens need to step up to the plate and donate. Florida Blood Services must build up our local blood supply to protect us, before we will be able to assist any of our Florida neighbors who have been and will continue to be affected by the storm."
Homeland Security guidelines call for a five- to seven day blood supply to be maintained to be prepared for any natural or man-made disaster. Tampa Bay blood supplies are currently only at a one- to three day level depending on blood type.
Generally, healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. All Florida Blood Services Donor Centers will be open as follows:
Clearwater – 1680 South Missouri Ave.; 727-582-9500 1680
Hours are: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Largo - Road, Ste. E; 727-548-2583
Hours are: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
St. Petersburg -10100 Dr. ML King Jr. St. N.; 727-568-5433, Ext. 2112
Hours are: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
St. Petersburg-Tyrone - 1700 66th Street N., Ste. 102; 727-384-4145
Hours are: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Additional mobile blood drive locations and hours can be found by calling
1-800-68-BLOOD (25663) or online at www.fbsblood.org
Florida Blood Services provides for the blood needs of patients at 37 hospitals in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk Counties, through the generosity of volunteer blood donors. Over 800 donations are required daily, due to the high quality of medical care in Tampa Bay that serves the most critically ill patients throughout west central Florida.
|
Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Newspapers
9911 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 397-5563
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
|
