The need for blood never stops, even when a hurricane or tropical storm barrels through town. That’s why OneBlood, the local blood center, is urging all donors to include blood donation as part of their hurricane preparations.
Hurricanes and tropical storms not only disrupt blood collections, but can potentially shut down blood center operations in certain regions, sometimes for several days. The most critical time for blood donations are prior to any storm or hurricane in order to sustain the blood supply during and immediately after the event.
Blood donations are extremely important 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to supply life-sustaining blood to hospital patients. The need is heightened further during hurricane season, June 1 through November 30 and is why OneBlood encourages people to include blood donation in their summer plans and throughout hurricane season.
Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. To learn more about the importance of blood donation and how donors can target the power of their blood type and a list of OneBlood Donor Center locations visitwww.oneblood.org.
Every two seconds someone needs blood. Blood that is donated today will likely be transfused within two to three days. The turn-around is that fast, the need is constant.