Critical Need For Blood Donations At SunCoast Blood Centers

SARASOTA, FL — Facing a critical blood shortage, SunCoast Blood Centers is asking the community to donate blood to address the current need in the area.

“This is the lowest inventory we’ve had in a decade,” Scott Bush, SunCoast Blood Centers CEO, said. “Only 3 percent of the eligible donor population are coming in to give the gift of life, which makes the shortage of product a real concern.”

Hospitals depend on an adequate blood supply for patients requiring blood transfusions with surgeries, cancer therapies, and trauma, and for those battling chronic blood diseases, SunCoast said in a news release.

SunCoast serves hospitals and health care facilities throughout Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as the Moffitt Cancer Center.

In order to keep its 14 hospitals supplied, SunCoast Blood Centers needs to collect 150 red blood cell units every day. Since May 28, the nonprofit has not had a collection day above 100 units. Unlike other therapies, blood has an expiration date and needs to be collected daily.

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“There is no substitute for blood, it has to come from one human being to another,” SunCoast Blood Centers Community Liaison Joan Leonard said. “We are urging our generous community to donate and help us get the blood supply up to a suitable level for our hospitals.”

Donors ages 16 and over can schedule an appointment to give blood at any SunCoast Blood Centers location or bloodmobile by visiting suncoastblood.org. Walk-ins are also welcome.