DAYTON, Ohio — As the winter holidays wrap and Ohioans turn their focus to catching up at school and work, local officials are worried about possible life-threatening blood shortages in the coming weeks. Winter storms are posing an even greater threat to the blood supply.
“Typically, our goal is to have 300 to 350 donors a day, and we’ve been lucky to get 200 daily over the past two weeks,” said Tracy Morgan, Vice President for Donor Services at Versiti Blood Center of Ohio. “That deficit is catching up.”
The winter months often see a drop in donors due to travel, seasonal illnesses and severe weather. Monday’s winter storm, for example, led to the rare closure of Versiti Blood Center of Ohio’s Dayton Community Blood Center and the cancelation of mobile blood drives.
But as Morgan notes, the need for blood donation remains persistent — and a healthy blood supply is particularly critical at a time when people may be more likely to experience health crises or weather-related emergencies.
In part to encourage more donations after the holidays, January has been declared Blood Donor Awareness Month both nationally and in Ohio.
“Even if you’re focused on getting back to a routine, we’re still in need of blood in the new year,” Morgan said. “It only takes a lunch break — less than an hour — to save as many as three lives.”
All blood types are needed, though A-negative and O-negative, the universal blood type, are in lowest supply.
Proactive blood donation ensures that life-saving resources are readily available for unforeseen emergencies; blood donation commonly supports victims of traumatic accidents, cancer patients and those undergoing an organ transplant. Blood transfusions are also needed in one out of every 83 baby deliveries in the U.S.
“Blood shortages aren’t just statistics — they mean real lives hanging in the balance,” Morgan said. “When hospitals run out of blood, critical treatments are delayed, surgeries are postponed, and lives are at risk.”
Donors can give blood six times a year through a safe, simple process. Walk-ins are welcome at the Versiti Blood Center of Ohio’s Dayton Community Blood Center, or donors can make an appointment by calling (937) 461-3220. To register online or find a blood drive near you, visit versitidayton.org/blood-donation.
Versiti Blood Center of Ohio’s Dayton Community Blood Center, formerly Solvita Blood Center, has served the local community for 60 years, and its commitment to helping neighbors in need remains unwavering.