Blood donations needed now due to flu epidemic                                   

[DEC. 23, 2003]  Springfield, IL – (December 22, 2003) – “Blood donations are needed now due to very low blood supplies caused by the national flu epidemic,” said David Parsons, CEO of the Central Illinois Community Blood Center in Springfield. “Blood donors are needed this week to ensure that the Springfield area has enough blood to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer and burn patients and persons who will need surgeries during the period between now and the new year,” Parsons said.

Blood inventories are traditionally low during the Christmas holidays due to the many events and peoples schedules.  Local donations were down 26% last week alone and mirror a national trend.  However, the situation is expected to get much worse due to the flu and the reduced donor base.  Donors are needed to prepare our communities.

               “The flu epidemic has hit the nation hard and has reduced the number of healthy donors.  Consequently, blood supplies are very low right now and threaten public safety,” according to Parsons.  “Persons who are healthy are needed now, this week, to help ensure that Memorial and St. John’s hospitals, along with other hospitals in the area, will have access to the blood they will need during the next two weeks.

               The increase in the terrorism threat level to “High” announced yesterday causes even greater concern.  Government agencies, emergency responders, the public and blood centers need to increase preparedness efforts.  Part of this process involves the public coming into the Central Illinois Community Blood Center to donate blood so that area hospitals have an adequate blood supply.

Only about 5% of the population donates blood to protect 100% of the citizens.  Regular donors are asked to visit the blood center and make their donation this week.

For new donors, the process generally takes less than an hour.  The actual blood donation process lasts between 6-12 minutes, following a health survey and preliminary procedures.

Springfield area companies, governmental agencies and associations are asked to host blood drives and allow their employees to take time from work to donate blood.

The Central Illinois Community Blood Center has operated for the past 32 years and is a not-for-profit organization that is the sole provider for blood in the Springfield area hospitals and much of central Illinois.  This includes the hospitals in Springfield, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Carlinville, Carrollton, Hillsboro, Hopedale, Pana, Pittsfield and Taylorville.              

“New and existing donors are asked to come forward this week and do their part to help protect their families, friends and our community by ensuring that life-giving blood is available during the next few weeks,” Parsons said.           

For more information, the public and employers are asked to call the Blood Center at 753-1530 or stop by to donate blood at 1134 S. 7^th Street in Springfield.

[News Release]