Coffee Memorial Blood Center (CMBC) is facing a critical blood shortage due to recent winter storms and a surge in flu cases, prompting officials to declare a blood emergency.
According to CMBC, the center requires a five-day supply of blood to adequately serve 29 counties and 31 medical facilities in the region. However, the combination of hazardous weather and widespread illness has significantly impacted donations.
“It takes 150 donations a day to supply the 29 counties and 31 medical facilities that we service,” said Brad Duggan, Executive Director at CMBC. “And so, to declare a blood emergency means we have less than a two-day supply of blood.”
The severe winter weather led to the cancellation of numerous blood drives and donation appointments, worsening the shortage. The ongoing flu season has further compounded the issue.
“We made it 13 months without a blood emergency. Made it through the holidays, and really thought we were going to be good until we had the winter weather hit in January, and then the increased sickness with the flu,” Duggan explained. “The CDC actually said that this is the worst case of the flu since 2009, 2010, and so it’s really affected blood donations—to the point where we had to declare a blood emergency.”
CMBC is in urgent need of all blood types, with a particular demand for O-negative and O-positive, which are among the most commonly used in emergency situations.
Making the Donation Process Easier
To encourage donors, CMBC has worked to make the donation process as comfortable as possible, offering amenities such as TVs for distraction and relaxation.
CMBC officials noted that the blood donation process takes about ten minutes, and a single donation can save up to three lives.
Who Can Donate?
For those interested in donating, CMBC outlined the following eligibility requirements:
Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 125 pounds.
An 18-year-old must weigh at least 110 pounds.
A 16-year-old may donate with signed parental permission and must weigh at least 125 pounds.
If you have been sick with the flu or another illness, CMBC advises waiting until you have fully recovered before donating. Those taking antibiotics should wait one week after their last dose before giving blood.
With hospitals relying on a steady supply of blood to treat patients, CMBC urges the community to step up and donate. Every contribution matters—and in times of emergency, it can make all the difference.
