Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center in dire need of blood during holiday season

The Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center, which is already low on its supply because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is facing more shortages during the holidays when donations are sorely needed.

Lindsey Graham, marketing coordinator for Cape Fear Valley Health, said blood donations have been in high demand for the Blood Donor Center since the start of the pandemic.

“We’ve been struggling to keep up type O positive and type O negative,” she said. “O positive is the most transfused and O negative is the universal blood type that can be transfused to anyone.”

Graham said on average, the blood center only has a two-day supply of blood at any given time.

During the holiday season, blood donations are extremely low, according to the American Red Cross.

“Not just on a local level, but blood banks across the nation struggle for blood donations. Less businesses host blood drives, but the patients’ need of life-saving blood never ends,” Graham said. “People on vacation, seasonal illness, inclement weather and travel are big contributors to a critical blood supply (shortage) during this season. We literally can’t operate without the support of local business, schools … and our volunteer donors.”

Before the pandemic, half of the blood center’s donations came from blood drives run by the community, she said.

“Our supply has taken a huge hit because they (schools, businesses and volunteer donors) aren’t able to host drives anymore,” Graham said.

Trauma incidents increase during the holidays, and in turn, the demand for blood donations also goes up, she said.

“Blood can’t be made in a lab — it has to come from volunteer donors. Blood (only) has a shelf life of 42 days, so it’s not something we can stockpile,” Graham said.

Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center, in operation for nearly six decades, provides blood to hospitals in Cumberland, Hoke and Bladen counties, she said.

“Volunteers are able to help their very own friends, family and neighbors. It’s a way to bring holiday cheer and for many, another year (of life),” she said.

Blood donations assist in saving the lives of patients every day, Graham said, from people going through emergency surgeries to people suffering from cancer who require blood transfusions to continue chemo treatment.

“Giving the gift of life is the best gift to give,” Graham said. “One donation can save up to three local lives.”

The Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center at 3357 Village Drive is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on the third Saturday of every month. No appointments are needed to donate blood. For information on local upcoming blood drives, visit Cape Fear Valley Health online.

Health and education writer Ariana-Jasmine Castrellon can be reached at acastrellon@gannett.com or 910-486-3561.

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cumberland County Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center needs donations