Daywatch: Blood suppliers warn of potential rationing at hospitals

Good morning, Chicago.

Three major blood suppliers for Chicago hospitals are warning of potential rationing amid an ongoing blood shortage in the wake of the pandemic and are making an urgent appeal for more people to donate.

With a decline in donations since the COVID-19, the supply has reached a troubling low in the last month, according to leaders from the American Red Cross of Illinois, Versiti and Vitalant. As appointment gaps grow and stock sinks, the blood suppliers fear hospitals could soon be forced to make difficult choices to ration blood.

“We don’t ever want to be in a situation where we have to start making a decision on who does and doesn’t get blood,” said Versiti’s area vice president, Amy Smith. “We need it now.”

Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jake Sheridan.

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