TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

St. Petersburg: Blood Supplies 'Dangerously Low'

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 19, 2008

11 a.m. Florida Blood Services says its community blood supply is at dangerously low levels, thanks to slow summer donations and the threat of Tropical Storm Fay.

Blood drives originally planned for Monday and today were canceled, meaning incoming blood supply failed to keep up with patient demand. In the past week, the demand exceeded donations by 1,100 units of blood. More than 800 units a day are needed to supply 37 hospitals in a five-county region.

"Our local citizens need to step up to the plate and donate," says JB Gaskins, vice president of the non-profit blood service that serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Manatee Counties. "Florida Blood Services must build up our local blood supply to protect us."

Healthy people 16 years or older who weigh at least 110 pounds are generally eligible to donate blood. To find out where and how to donate, call 1-800-68-BLOOD (2-5663) or visit www.fbsblood.org

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT