Blood Donors Are Desperately Needed in Rockford
As the wife of an emergency department employee, I know for a fact that warmer weather brings more injuries. After being cooped up inside all winter, or during a pandemic like current times, people tend to go a little crazy when finally released into outdoor freedom. The sheer joy of soaking up some sunshine makes people a little reckless, clumsy, too daredevil-ish, and this past weekend in the Stateline was no exception.
On Monday the Rock River Valley Blood Center issued an urgent plea for blood donors, specifically for O-Positive blood types, after a weekend full of traumas at local hospitals depleted their supplies. According to RRVBC's Facebook post;
We are asking anyone feeling healthy and well to please schedule a donation appointment as soon as possible, walk in to one of our four donor centers in Rockford, Belvidere, or Freeport to donate, or visit a mobile blood drive this week.
Restrictions related to COVID-19 are still contributing to the local blood supply issues. More than 100 blood drives have been cancelled since April, resulting in a loss of over 2,000 units of blood.
It’s especially worrisome that the O-positive supply is at critical levels because this type can be given to most patients, and about 39% of the population has the O-positive blood type. There is no substitute for blood – generous donors are the only source.
Making an appointment to donate blood is still preferred, which you can do right now by clicking here, but walk-ins are once again welcome as long as social distancing requirements can be followed at the donation center or blood drive you go to.
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