CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coastal Bend Blood Center is asking people who want to help their community during the pandemic to consider donating blood. The coronavirus has left organizations like the Coastal Bend Blood Center with a low blood supply.
The shortage is occurring as the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down schools, businesses and universities, canceling several blood drives.
“We are having a lot of trouble right now finding blood drive locations for our blood bus to park and obtain these blood donations that are in great need right now,” said Coastal Bend Blood Center Marketing Director Ashley Ramirez.
Blood donation centers in the Coastal Bend area and across the country are starting to see a critical blood supply shortage.
“You never know when it will hit home, I mean, we don’t want to wish that upon anybody, but the reality is that 1 of 7 people walking into a hospital will need a blood transfusion. Every 2 seconds someone is in need of a blood transfusion. So that is the reality, and we want to make sure we are always able to continue to save lives here in the Coastal Bend,” said Ramirez.
One way they hope to close the gap between where they are and where they want to be is for local businesses to host more blood drives.
“Again, we want to remind our community that the Blood Center is the sole provider of blood supplies here in the Coastal Bend. We service 19 medical facilities in a 10 county area so it is extremely vital that we obtain these blood donations on a daily basis,” said Ramirez.
Donations made at the Coastal Bend Blood Center mobile blood units account for 85% of the blood they collect.
Those who are interested in helping or who want to see a list of current blood drive locations, can learn more by visiting the Coastal Bend Blood Center website.