The Chattanooga region’s emergency blood supply – particularly Type O – is dangerously low after a summer of decreased donations and high demand from hospitals, according to a news release from local blood supplier Blood Assurance.
As of Wednesday, Blood Assurance had less than a one-day supply of Type O-negative and Type O-positive blood on its shelves, prompting the organization to issue a plea for more donors in order to support life-saving treatments at hospitals across the region.
“With school being out for fall break, paired with high hospital usage, we are experiencing an unprecedented shortage,” Dr. Liz Culler, chief medical officer for Blood Assurance, said in the release. “COVID-19 has already depleted the blood supply, so when you add these additional factors in, it’s quite alarming.”
(READ MORE: Chattanooga-based Blood Assurance in critical need of blood due to multiple traumas)
Individuals with Type O blood who donate at a blood drive or donation center through Oct. 22 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card, the release states.