Stanford Blood Center Has Critical Need for All Blood Types to Help Those Bay Area Hospitals Impacted by National Winter Weather

February 22, 2021
Attention News Desk: Press Release (for immediate release)
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ross Coyle | 650-725-3804
rcoyle@stanford.edu

STANFORD, Calif. — Severe winter weather conditions in Texas and elsewhere around the country have dramatically impacted the nation’s blood supply. As a result, Stanford Blood Center (SBC) is stepping up to help those Bay Area hospitals that rely on this national supply and are unable to get the blood they urgently need to support patients. We are currently facing a critical need for all blood types, especially type O+ blood products, and are asking the community to come out and donate as soon as possible to meet the immediate needs of local patients.

“While SBC continues to collect blood for the primary hospitals we serve, we are doing our part to provide for additional hospitals that are being impacted by this national shortage. Though we’re committed to helping as many local patients as possible, our ability to do so is dependent on support from our donors,” said Renee Gipson, Donor Service Director at Stanford Blood Center. “We want to remind everyone that blood donation remains an essential activity, and we want to reassure you that the safety of our donors is a top priority, and we have measures in place to ensure blood donation continues to be a safe process for everyone onsite. Your donation is an easy but powerful way to lend a hand to those struggling during this difficult time.”

Over the past few weeks, blood usage at our partner hospitals has been higher than usual, and SBC has been supporting a number of patients who required large amounts of blood products. “Last week, over 400 patients, including 75 children, required nearly 900 units (pints) of blood products, 450 of which were O+ red blood cells,” said Dr. Suchi Pandey, Chief Medical Officer at Stanford Blood Center. “O+ is the most frequently needed blood type for patients and, as of today, we only have about a two-day supply. Our current collections of O+ cannot sustain our support of our regular hospital partners as well as additional hospitals in critical need right now, so we need your help in the coming days.” Find out more in this video message from Dr. Pandey: youtu.be/rJhDQmKrqdc.

If you’re thinking about donating for the first time, now is a great opportunity to help save lives. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment at one of three donation center locations in Campbell, Menlo Park, or Mountain View. There are also a number of mobiles open to the public this week, including blood drives in Livermore, Morgan Hill, Pleasanton, and Sunnyvale.

Appointments can be scheduled online at stanfordbloodcenter.org or by calling 888-723-7831 for same-day appointments.

Donors should be in good health with no cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms. They should eat well prior to donation, drink fluids, and present a photo ID at the time of donation. Eligibility information can be found at stanfordbloodcenter.org/eligibility or by calling 888-723-7831.

About Stanford Blood Center

Stanford Blood Center (SBC) is an independent, community blood center that supplies blood products and testing services to multiple Bay Area hospitals and is a recognized leader in the fields of transfusion and transplantation medicine. SBC was created at the Stanford University School of Medicine in 1978 to meet the complex transfusion and transplant needs of Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, as well as provide clinical trial services and specialized blood products for researchers. Today, the center remains locally focused, serving community hospitals, patients and donors, while contributing to research and advancement that impact the world at large. More information is available at stanfordbloodcenter.org.