CBC sending blood supplies to Texas disaster area

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DAYTON — Community Blood Center is assisting in the relief effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey by sending blood products to the southeast Texas disaster area. CBC is now calling on donors, particularly type O donors, to help replenish the local blood supply.

Coastal Bend Blood Center in Corpus Christi and Gulf Coast Blood Center in Houston are both in need of blood. Coastal Bend has resumed collections, but the local population is just beginning to return and is struggling with flood damage. Gulf Coast will not be able to reopen and resume collections until the end of the week at the earliest. CBC is sending an initial shipment of 60 units of blood to Coastal Bend and demand is expected to continue.

The AABB Interorganizational Task Force is urging eligible donors across America, especially those with type O blood, to help with the relief effort.

“We are asking all potential donors, both current and first-timers, to make a commitment to donate blood or platelets as soon as possible,” said Dennis Todd, chair of the task force.

With blood drives canceled for multiple days due to widespread flooding, all blood collection agencies in the U.S. are making efforts to meet the emergency blood needs and ensure a sufficient blood supply in storm affected areas.

It is important for blood donors to give in the coming days and weeks to meet the immediate and future needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. If donations are negatively impacted, the long-term needs of patients could be affected.

The task force will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as blood needs change.

Staff report

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