'There's Just Not Enough': Major Shortage At RI Blood Center

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Blood Center is under a blood emergency, with just a three-day supply on hand, the organization announced Wednesday. With donations levels down due to the coronavirus pandemic and more Rhode Islanders getting postponed surgeries and other medical treatments, demand is higher, while supply is very low.

The pandemic has led to a large drop in first-time donations from young people, the center said, as well as a 70 percent decrease in blood drives.

To help address the "chronic gap in blood donations," the organization is launching a new campaign to encourage Rhode Islanders to step up. The campaign spans radio, TV, social media and more and will include the RIBC and partner blood centers.

"As the Northeast reopens, blood usage at hospitals continues to increase and is far outpacing our collections," said Beau Tompkins, the senior executive director of the Rhode Island Blood Center. "Through this new media campaign, we are hoping to raise awareness about our ongoing needs and attract the next generation of blood donors to help us build a healthy blood supply. RIBC is losing approximately 200 donations a week and we need everyone who is feeling well and healthy, to consider donating."

The humorous campaign is aimed at younger donors, showing "a new generation of potential donors not only how important it is to regularly donate blood, but also how easy it can be," the center said. Slogans include "things that hurt more than giving blood," such as forgetting to put sunscreen on your feet while wearing sandals, running into your ex with spinach in your teeth or cracking your phone screen.

Blood donations take about an hour, start to finish. Extra safety protocols have been implemented throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to keep staff and donors safe. As is always the case, donors can only give blood if they are feeling well and healthy, with no symptoms such as a sore throat, cold or other signs of a respiratory infection. Read more about safety measures and how blood donation works on the blood center's website.

Call 401-453-8383 or go online to schedule an appointment online.