COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Versiti Blood Center of Ohio, located in Central Ohio, issued an emergency appeal for blood donations, because of a dangerously low supply.

What You Need To Know

  • One blood donation can save up to three people

  • Those in trauma incidents (car crashes, etc.) can use over 100 units of blood a day

  • Gunshot victims end up using five times the amount of blood product compared to other trauma incidents

The Versiti Blood Center of Ohio recorded their lowest donation count of the year last week, coming out of the fourth of July holiday weekend. 

The shortage results from increased demand with decreased contribution to the supply. An increase in traumas in the area has also contributed to the problem.

This summer, trauma centers have seen an increase in incidents that can use large amounts of blood products. There have been nearly a handful of mass shootings in Ohio in the past 60 days and dozens of accounts of gun violence incidents. Gunshot victims that come in usually use five times the amount of blood products than those involved in a more traditional accident.

“One individual went through multiple blood products within about a 15-minute period of time because they were using what’s called a rapid infuser and they were using a number of red cells, plasma, platelets, all because, you know, because of this gunshot, that leg hit a major vessel,” said Dr. Dan Waxman who serves as the vice president of transfusion medicine for Versiti Blood Center of Ohio. “So, unfortunately, yeah, we are seeing more gunshot cases and they require a higher number of transfusions.”

An uptick in car and bicycle accidents has also led patients to the emergency room. Critical care for patients results in over 100 units of blood being used in one day. Only 3% of people that are eligible to donate blood do. The blood center said with summer vacation and irregular schedules, they need donors to volunteer, now more than ever. 

“The major part of universities which are often on summer break, high schools in universities account for 20 to 30% of our donor base,” said Waxman. “When you have holidays, especially ones that fall in the middle of the week, like toward the end of last week, where July 4th, you know, was on a Thursday. and so people are taking a number of days off.”

Spectrum News reached out to other parts of the state to see where else the shortage is being felt. Red Cross Northeast Ohio is not suffering from a shortage, but the Red Cross in the Central and Southern Ohio region is stressing the need for blood and platelet donors for lifesaving transfusions.

While centers across the state can pull from a regional and national supply, it’s important to have blood products on hand for emergency surgeries or scheduled cancer transfusions and organ donations.

Check the Red Cross website for blood donation drives happening in your area.

Versiti Blood Center is having several community drives across the area this week:

Donating blood takes about one hour and anyone aged 16 or older in good health and meets eligibility requirements can donate. Parental consent is required for 16-year-old donors. Donors need a photo ID with their birthdate on it.