Mountain Xpress

Press release from The Blood Connection:

As we prepare for the impacts of Hurricane Idalia, The Blood Connection (TBC) is joining preparedness efforts by sending blood products to hospital partners in the storm’s path. TBC began preparing those blood products as early as Sunday as the orders came in and as of today, the Governors of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina have all declared a state of emergency. TBC is responding quickly to get blood to hospital partners in these areas before the impacts of the storm causes travel issues. The storm is already affecting the local blood supply. Hospitals are stocking up ahead of Hurricane Idalia and the community is urged to replenish the supply now, to ensure lifesaving blood products are available when hospitals, or blood centers call. TBC is experiencing blood drive cancellations across its service areas, as Hurricane Idalia is expected to bring high winds and heavy rain. The expected storm damage and power outages could lead to a disruption of the local blood supply, as donation centers are not able to operate, and many people are not able to travel to donate blood. During weather emergencies, bloodmobiles cannot travel when winds are sustained at a certain speed and heavy rain could cause travel issues for TBC staff and donors. As a member of The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC), TBC is currently on-call to send blood units to partner blood centers, should this natural disaster or other emergencies require additional blood products. “The Blood Connection is no stranger to helping our neighbors in need,” said Heather Moulder, Director of Communications & Public Relations for The Blood Connection. “Though BERC has not yet been activated we’re asking our community to share in the response effort and help before the storm hits. We can’t help if we’re not prepared, and it’s the blood on the shelves that saves lives.” TBC supplies blood to more than 120 hospital partners across the Carolinas and Georgia. TBC operates 15 donation centers and deploys more than 50 blood mobiles daily, to make blood donation comfortable and convenient for those who answer the call. To find a center or mobile donation opportunity nearby, go to thebloodconnection.org/donate.