Hurricane Ian impacts blood supply; Southern Utahns have chances to donate

A stock image shows a man preparing to give blood at a blood drive | Photo by YakobchukOlena/iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The effects of Hurricane Ian have extended beyond structural damage and loss of life down to the blood supply. And Southern Utahns have an opportunity to address this issue.

Dixie Power blood drive at Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, Oct. 29, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Dixie Power, St. George News

The American Red Cross of Utah is urging residents to give blood to help ensure patients in areas devasted by Hurricane Ian continue to have access to lifesaving blood.  More than 1,000  potential donations had to go uncollected in recent days as flood waters and dangerous conditions canceled blood drives throughout Florida, making the need for donations from non-affected areas even greater. 

“The widespread damage left in Hurricane Ian’s wake included blood donation centers, contributing to a  blood shortage in the area,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross  Utah/Nevada Region. “While we don’t typically service hospitals in Florida, the Red Cross of Utah is standing by to provide additional products as needed, supporting industry partners through the AABB  Task Force for Disaster Response,” Ruster said.  

Blood drives are scheduled in St. George on Thursday, Friday and Monday, as well as Oct. 21, Oct. 27 and several dates in November. Click here to search for a specific blood drive.

The St. George American Red Cross Blood Donation Center is located at 476 E. Riverside Drive, Suite B-6, and the phone number is (435) 628-1233.

“Last week the American Red Cross sent hundreds of donated blood products to Florida to help make  sure there is lifesaving blood available,” Dr. Walter Kelley, Divisional Chief Medical Officer for the  Pacific, Rocky Mountain and Southwest Divisions of the American Red Cross said in a news release. “The Red Cross supplies  about 40% of the nation’s blood, and fortunately, we have the ability to move blood around the country  whenever and wherever it is needs most.” 

Utahns – especially those with type O blood – are urged to give blood now.

“The Red Cross depends on generous volunteer blood donors every day to provide lifesaving blood for those in need, but especially during times of disaster,” Dr. Kelley said in the news release. “By choosing to give now, you will be helping people in Florida  in need of emergency lifesaving care or transfusions for medical treatment, while also helping to boost the  future blood supply.” 

To schedule an appointment, click one of the links above or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!