Indiana suffers from acute anemia

Patient care at risk – Versiti Blood Center of Indiana asks for blood donations

INDIANAPOLIS, 24 June 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Versiti Blood Center of Indiana has launched an urgent appeal for blood donations due to dangerously low blood stocks. Certain blood types are available for less than a day, putting the lives of local patients at risk. Summer donations have dropped to critical levels, with over 4,463 appointments missed in the last month alone.

All blood types are required, with O-positive and O-negative being the most in demand. O-positive is the most common blood type, while O-negative is the universal blood type that all patients can safely receive in emergency situations when the blood type is unknown.

“We know summer is a difficult time for blood donations and we plan for it every year, but what we are seeing today is horrific,” said Dr. Daniel WaxmanVice President of Transfusion Medicine and Chief Medical Officer at Versiti. “Patients’ lives are at risk. If you are healthy and able, we ask you to donate blood this week.”

In addition to missed appointments and an increase in cancellations and no-shows, Versiti’s partner hospitals have required significant amounts of blood over the past month to perform organ transplants and other traumatic experiences.

“The need for blood simply does not match the number of donors coming to us,” Waxman added. “We are so grateful for our loyal donors who come to us regularly, but it’s important to know that about 3 percent of people who are eligible to donate blood actually do so. If it’s been a while since you last donated, or if this is your first time donating, we’re happy to welcome you.”

What happens if blood is not available for patients?

• When local blood supplies fall to current lows, it puts the health and safety of patients who rely on life-saving blood transfusions at risk. In some cases, hospitals are forced to postpone operations or delay vital treatments.
• Trauma victims of car accidents or shootings are most at risk because their survival often depends on a healthy blood supply. If such cases occur again in the next few days, we may not have enough blood to keep them alive.
• Patients undergoing organ transplants or battling cancer, and even mothers in labor, may experience treatment delays or complications due to limited blood supply.

To schedule a blood donation, call (317) 916-5150 or visit versiti.org. Spontaneous donors are also welcome.

Locations of donor centers:

• INDIANAPOLIS: 3450 N. Meridian St.
• FISHERMAN: 11005 Allisonville Road
• CARMEL: 726 Adams St., Suite 150
• GREENWOOD: 8739 US 31 South
• TERRE HAUTE: 2021 p. Third Edition
• LAFAYETTE: 2200 Elmwood Ave., Suite D-16

A blood donation takes about an hour. Anyone who is at least 16 years old, in good health and meets the eligibility requirements can donate blood. Parental consent is required for blood donations from age 16. Donors should bring photo ID with their date of birth on it.

About Versiti Blood Center of Indiana
More than 90,000 Indiana Residents donate blood every year through the Versiti Blood Center of Indianaformerly Indiana Blood Center, a nonprofit organization founded in 1952 that operates blood donation centers in Indianapolis, Fisherman, Carmel, Greenwood, Lafayette And Terre HauteThe center also conducts thousands of mobile and community blood drives throughout the state each year. Versiti provides a continuous and safe supply of blood and biological services to more than 95 Indiana hospitals and their patients and beyond.

For more information, visit versiti.org.

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