By Donita Naylor Journal Staff Writer
PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Blood Center is calling on healthy blood and platelet donors to perform an act of courage — to show up and roll up their sleeves in defiance of coronavirus fears.
A few groups have already canceled their March blood drives, a news release from the blood center said Thursday night, and each cancellation weakens the blood supply. The goal is to double the reserves in case cancellations continue.
The news release said that with trained staff taking proper precautions, such as frequent cleaning of public surfaces, and with people staying away if they have a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms, or if they have traveled in areas with coronavirus outbreaks, the act of donating blood is safe.
Blood is critical to emergency preparedness but it’s perishable, so the supply must be replenished continuously. While the world is fixated on virus dangers, women and newborns still need blood if there’s a complication during childbirth, people still need surgery or organ transplants, and people battling cancer, recovering from an accident or fire, people with heart disease, kidney disease and blood disorders still need blood.
The news release offers the following numbers: The blood center supplies nearly every hospital in Rhode Island and many in New England and is responsible for ensuring that our region has a safe and reliable blood supply. It only takes an hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives. About one in seven hospital admissions requires a blood transfusion, and nearly 250 donations are needed each day in the area that the Rhode Island Blood Center covers. dnaylor@ providencejournal.com
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