After two successful blood drives at Arroyo Grande Community Hospital (AGCH), French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC), and Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC), Dignity Health Central Coast hospitals have again partnered with Vitalant in a proactive effort to encourage community members to donate blood. In order to bolster local and national blood supplies, Vitalant is calling on the community to come forward and give blood. The process takes only 45 minutes but can save up to three lives.
The drive is scheduled for each hospital on the following dates:
Marian Regional Medical Center – Tuesday, July 7, 2020, 2-6pm at the conference center located at 1400 East Church Street, Santa Maria at the corner of Palisades and Church Street
Arroyo Grande Community Hospital – Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 9am – 2pm in the Annex Conference Room, 345 South Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande
French Hospital Medical Center – Thursday, July 9, 2020, 9am – 2pm at the 3rd floor Copeland Health Education Pavilion at 1911 South Johnson Avenue, San Luis Obispo
There is currently a critical shortage of blood, and all community members are asked to take the short amount of time to donate. Community members wishing to donate are urged to sign up at www.blood4life.org. Do not donate if you are feeling ill.
In the wake of COVID-19 responses, Vitalant is urging groups to continue organizing blood drives and individuals to continue donating blood, unless local public health officials specifically direct otherwise. Blood drives at schools, churches, community groups, and religious institutions – which represent more than 60% of the nation’s blood supply – have been all but cancelled, and are critical to health care in our country.
Despite the ongoing need, it is now especially challenging to recruit donors, which affects Vitalant’s blood supply. Donations from O-negative donors, the universal blood type, are especially important. The current O-negative blood supply sits at an approximate two-day supply, which is half of the ideal quantity needed to support patient needs. Additionally, platelet donations, which have a shelf-life of only five days, are always in high demand. However, donors of all types are needed.