SunCoast Blood Centers faces shortage of O-Positive and O-Negative blood
SunCoast Blood Centers is in need of O-Positive and O-Negative blood, due in part to the summer slump, after snowbirds depart, students are out of school, and other residents start their vacation travel.
Earlier: SunCoast Blood Centers celebrates student scholarship winners
The nonprofit, which is based in Lakewood Ranch and 14 southwest Florida area hospitals and medical centers, including those in DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties, sent out an urgent appeal on social media Wednesday, accompanied by a photo of only a few pints in refrigerated storage.
Related: SunCoast Blood Centers grapples with post-Memorial Day donor decline
“This happens every year, but it's been especially difficult coming out of the whole COVID pandemic,” said Suncoast Blood Centers marketing director Scott Draper. “We've had trouble building our donor base.”
Typically, the blood bank needs to collect about 150 units a day to keep up with the demand from local hospitals, Draper said, “and that’s just been difficult.”
In addition to Lakewood Ranch, Suncoast Blood Centers has locations in Bradenton, Venice, and Sarasota. The Sarasota location, at 1760 Mound Street, is still open for donors while the building is being renovated.
To book a donation appointment with Suncoat Blood Centers call 1-866-972-5663, or 1-866-97-BLOOD, or visit https://www.suncoastblood.org.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: SunCoast Blood Centers needs donors for O-Positive and O-Negative blood
