OBI part of new coalition for emergency blood reserves
The Oklahoma Blood Institute is partnering with blood centers in five states to shore up emergency blood reserves in the event of a crisis, leaders with the blood center and other local officials said Thursday.
Oklahoma and states across the U.S. have dealt with a shortage of blood donations that has left supply critically low in recent months.
The new partnership, called the Blood Emergency Response Corps, was created in response to shortages this summer, said Oklahoma Blood Institute CEO John Armitage.
When a mass shooting unfolded in Austin, Texas, the blood center there asked for 50 units of blood from 15 centers across the country. They only got 36 units, provided by four centers, Armitage said.
“That’s the first time in my 25-year career that the call for help went out and kind of a half-answer came back,” Armitage said. “That was really troubling.”
The Blood Emergency Response Corps will work on a rotation system.
Each of the blood centers participating commits to collecting extra blood during their rotation. If there is no emergency need for the extra blood during that period, it is then returned to the local blood inventory.
Having available blood supply is critical for public health and emergency preparedness, said Oklahoma's health commissioner, Dr. Lance Frye.
“A healthy blood supply, especially during crisis, is a critical part of that public health system and to the health of our communities,” he said.
In addition to the Oklahoma Blood Institute, the other blood centers participating in the initiative are: California's Houchin Community Blood Bank, The Community Blood Center in Wisconsin, Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank and Texas' We Are Blood, South Texas Blood & Tissue Center and Carter BloodCare. More blood centers also are expected to join.
To make an appointment to donate blood, go to obi.org or call 877-340-8777.