Blood Bank of Delmarva officials are raising the alarm about the level of available donated blood in the region. The blood bank put out a call for donations earlier this week saying the Mid-Atlantic region’s blood supply has never been lower.
Officials say October is normally a plentiful time for blood donations as schools often host blood drives during this time. But Blood Bank of Delmarva spokesman Tony Prado says the overall donor base has declined, along with first-time donors and repeat donations.
“We don’t know what happened,” said Prado. “Things just fell of, like, the cliff.”
Prado adds there’s also been an increase in demand for blood.
“The blood products are flying off the shelf so to speak,” he said.
Prado says the Blood Bank of Delmarva is in need of O negative and O positive blood types as well as blood platelets.
He says the other types are in good shape but adds the shortage is regional and neighboring blood banks often rely on one another’s supply when resources are scarce.
Prado says the blood bank is working to address its lack of first-time donors.
“We are looking to increase the age group of 17 to 34 years old. We’re talking about millennials; generation z,” he said. “That is a mission we have. We have a goal to increase that number by 500 each year for the next three years.”
Prado adds he has noticed public response since issuing the request for blood.
