In order to meet hospital demand, the Western New York Division of the American Red Cross would need to receive over 1,000 donations of blood every day.
An emergency need has been issued for donated blood.
Elective surgeries are being done again and many patients are reliant on donated blood for immediate treatment.
Normally hospitals keep a 5 day supply, but Meg Rossman of the Red Cross says that hospitals are currently dealing with a shortage that leaves them with a less than one day supply of type O.
Dr. Neil Blumberg of URMC says that it isn’t typical for a patient to need hundreds of pints of blood, but it is possible. Typically patients will sometimes need 5, 10 or even 15 pints.
Hospitals are putting off elective surgeries due to the shortage, and other hospitals feel they have enough but have zero room for error.
Donations of rare blood types are sought after right now as well as common types.
Anyone that donates between now and August 15 will be entered for a chanced to win a VIP trip to Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival as well as a four month subscription to Apple Music.
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