The Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City today declared a blood emergency.
A year after the region was shut down by COVID-19, a blood shortage still exists, according to a spokesman.
Before COVID-19, there were more community blood drives at high schools, colleges and offices, but a lot of those groups had to cancel blood drives because of COVID-19 restrictions, according to Community Blood Center officials. Some, but not as many as before, have been able to resume the blood drives.
CBC currently has just over a four-day supply of blood, which is below what is needed by area hospitals, according to a spokesman. The health care system in the metropolitan area requires nearly 600 donations each day to treat patients ranging from trauma victims to babies and their mothers to cancer patients, the spokesman stated.
Donors with Type O and Type B blood are especially needed, as CBC currently has less than a three-day supply of these blood types, according to the spokesman.
“With thousands getting vaccinated each day, we are thrilled to watch our state recover from this catastrophic year,” said Kim Peck, senior executive director of Community Blood Center. “As Kansas City bounces back this spring, we need everyone to make an appointment and donate blood to help save lives. While the end of the pandemic is near, our struggle to fight for those in need continues.”
The CBC is taking extra precautions to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19, the spokesman stated. As always, people are not eligible to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms. Additional information on donor eligibility and COVID-19 precautions is available at www.savealifenow.org.
Donations are by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 1-877-468-6844 or visiting www.savealifenow.org. The donor centers in Kansas City, Missouri, and in Johnson County are open by appointment.
Some of the upcoming CBC blood drives in Wyandotte County include:
The University of Kansas Medical Center, 2146 W. 39th Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, in the Health Education Building, Ad Astra, 5th floor.
Providence Medical Center, 8929 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas, will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 9, in the auditorium rooms.
Appointments are required by calling 1-877-468-6844 or visiting www.savealifenow.org.