Donations are urgently needed to support the national blood supply and weather-impacted areas in the Southeast
DELMARVA โ As a second potentially devastating hurricane is poised to ravage the southern U.S., Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) is issuing an urgent appeal for blood donations. Donors are needed to ensure the availability of blood supplies for hospitals in weather-impacted areas, as well as to meet ongoing needs in the local region.
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Florida’s west coast late Wednesday night, with the heavily populated city of Tampa Bay forecast to face a record-breaking storm surge of 10 to 15 feet. Experts say Milton is one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic.
Blood collections across the United States are facing significant disruption due to the ongoing weather emergencies impacting the Southeast. Severe weather has forced the closure of numerous blood centers, canceled scheduled blood drives, and restricted donor access in affected areas. These disruptions are expected to persist throughout the coming weeks and months, exacerbating the nationโs existing blood supply challenges.
As communities focus on recovery efforts, there is an urgent need for blood donations from unaffected areas to meet this critical demand. BBD is currently providing blood products to help support the national blood supply and stands ready to provide additional aid as needed in the coming days and weeks. To help meet the heightened need, BBD is calling on local residents to donate and help ensure a stable supply for patients in need during this critical time.
โThis has been one of the most devastating hurricane seasons we have seen in years and a robust blood supply is essential for disaster preparedness and our countryโs overall public health,” said Steve Corse, Executive Director at Blood Bank of Delmarva. โWe’re calling on all eligible donors to help ensure a stable blood supply to support hospitals that rely on us, both locally and nationally, so our neighbors in the Southeast can focus on recovering from these storms without the burden of blood shortages. Thereโs no substitute for blood, and the need is critical, now more than ever.โ
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines or make an appointment, visit delmarvablood.org or call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8.
###
About Blood Bank of Delmarva
Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) celebrates 70 Years of Extraordinary Lifesaving Research, Innovation and Impact. BBD is a nonprofit, community blood bank with a simple mission: saving lives. BBD achieves its mission every day by providing safe blood and blood products to all 19 hospitals in Delmarva and relies on over 80,000 volunteer blood donors each year to ensure patient needs are met. BBD distributes over 130,000 blood products annually and operates four donor centers. Each year, BBD normally hosts over 600 blood drives that would not be possible without the commitment of community organizations that volunteer to serve as sponsors or coordinators, providing opportunities for blood donors to donate and help patients in need. BBD is a Division of New York Blood Center, Inc. (a family of operating Divisions known as New York Blood Center Enterprises) and a member of AABB and ABC. For more information, visit delmarvablood.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
