Winter Storm Jonas Wallops Blood Collection

All blood types needed to replenish depleted supply

Falls Church, VA – January 25, 2016 – Inova Blood Donor Services has issued a call for eligible blood donors to visit their local fixed site blood donor centers to donate blood and/or platelets as soon as possible. Donors may schedule an appointment, or find a donor center by visiting www.inova.org/donateblood  or calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES (866-256-6372).

“The inventory of blood at Inova has been severely impacted by Winter Storm Jonas as we were unable to collect these lifesaving products for our patients over the last 2 ½ days.  For the first time in over 50 years, we suspended our blood collection operations at our 3 fixed site donor centers as well as our mobile drives in the community as we rode out the storm this weekend.  During the height of the storm, we had heavy usage of blood products at some of our hospitals.  With this increase in usage and decrease in collections, we need blood donors to answer our call. Without reaching our daily collections goal of 250 units a day, our shelves are running empty,” says Terri Craddock, Director of Inova Blood Donor Services. “This insufficient inventory leaves local hospitals vulnerable in response to emergency patients as well as provides challenges in meeting in or out-patient procedures requiring the use of blood and blood products.” Craddock stated.

“Our projections this week for our mobile operations, which is responsible for over 70% of our collections, is taking a major hit as well,” says Carolyn Bayless, Mobile Operations Manager.  “Mobile Blood Drives are cancelling, participation at business blood drives are down because employees have the option to telework and quite honestly, with all the snow, we can’t park our bloodmobile in an area safe enough for the donors to give.”  “We serve our donors in the community 365 days a year. With this unprecedented storm; we need these donors to come to us, to our fixed site locations.  Our patients are counting on you.” Bayless stated.

All blood types are needed. To give blood, donors must be feeling generally well on the day of their donation, be at least 16 years old (with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the past eight weeks (56 days) for whole blood or 112 days for double red cells. Platelet donors should not take aspirin or aspirin-based products within 48 hours prior to donation. For more information about eligibility requirements call 1-866-BLOODSAVES or visit inova.org/donateblood.
“Blood testing can take 24-48 hours before the products are available for the patients,” according to Craddock. “I encourage the public to access www.inova.org/donateblood or call 1-866-BLOODSAVES without dely.”

Media Contact: Rebecca Manarchuck, 571-434-3656