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Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Serving Elkhart County and parts of Noble, LaGrange & Marshall Counties Know Your Neighbor. . . . . 2➤ Speak Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Good Neighbors . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Valentine’s Day . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Vol. 49 No. 44
Goshen (574) 534-2591
134 S. Main, Goshen, Indiana 46526
County facing ‘crisis’ as blood supply level
falls to historic low
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7H[W DQG 3KRWRV %\ 3+2(%( %$1.6 6WDII :ULWHU Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. The U.S. blood supply is now dangerously low. Surging COVID-19 cases, severe weather and declines in donor turnout are all contributing to the shortage. American Red Cross is facing a crisis as the blood supply level falls to a historic low. American Red Cross announced this month it is facing its first-ever “national blood crisis” with its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. According to the Red Cross, the shortage has led doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more blood is available. The pandemic has created challenges for the Red Cross with a 10% decline in the number of people donating blood and a 62% drop in blood drives at schools and colleges. One pint of blood can save three lives and when hospitals have an ample supply, patients who need blood can get it. With one donation, someone can be saving trauma victims, premature babies, people with anemia, as well as surgery patients. The South Bend Medical Foundation supplies blood to Elkhart General Hospital. The need for blood is critical. “The ongoing disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic has created a fluctuation in both supply and the need for blood. High schools and colleges are doing less blood drives and corporations still have a majority of employees working from home. There is
also staff shortages, with most needing to quarantine, if exposed. Seasonal flu and cold and weather also play a factor,” said Mary Ankrapp, blood donor recruitment supervisor, South Bend Medical Foundation. She said all types are needed but, “We have been particularly low on O positive and O negative.” She said hospitals have had to cancel elective surgeries or, at times, only do emergency surgeries. Ankrapp said people can help by donating blood, not just once. Donors are eligible to donate whole blood every 56 days and platelets every two weeks. “If every donor would at least donate one more time then they already do it would be so helpful. Bring a friend with you when you donate,” Ankrapp said. Several people participated in a blood donation event in Goshen last week. Roger Hernandez said he donates blood on a regular basis. “I get reminders sent to me that it is time to donate again,” he said. “So, I donate when I can.” Heather Elliott of Syracuse also donated blood last week in Goshen. “I donate every chance I get,” she said. “I am O negative.” The O negative donors are often called “ u n i versal donors” because anyone can receive the red blood c e l l s f r o m their donations. Although about 8% of the
population has O negative blood, it accounts for around 13% of hospital requests for red blood cells. In June, SBMF will be opening a new donor center at 2222 Rieth Blvd., Goshen. People may donate blood in Elkhart County at: • South Bend Medical Foundation, various locations in Elkhart County or its donation center, 25651 CR 20, Elkhart. To make an appointment, visit www.givebloodnow.com or call (574) 234-1157. • Elkhart General Blood Bank, 600 East Blvd., by calling (574) 523-3329. • Goshen American Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center, 1123 S. Indiana Ave., by calling (800) RED CROSS. People can also make an appointment to donate blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App by visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org.
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