Vitalant calling for blood donations after slow summer

PITTSBURGH — Blood donation nonprofit Vitalant is sounding the alarm after a slow summer of donations in Southwest Pennsylvania.

“This summer has been much worse than summers in the past because so many people are traveling for the first time since the pandemic,” said Kristen Lane, Vitalant’s Northeast Division communications manager.

Without local donors stepping up, the organization — which acts as the primary blood provider for UPMC and AHN hospitals across the region — only has half the blood necessary for those hospitals to operate.

The most critical need is for type-O blood, of which the hospitals have only a day’s supply on hand at any time.

“That’s really dangerous because hospitals need to have blood available at all times for emergencies. They know how much blood they’re going to need for regular use — patients who have an ongoing need — but you never know when there’s going to be that car accident,” said Lane.

To beef up supply, Vitalant has been pulling in blood from outside our region.

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But that supply is running dry, too.

“The problem is there’s a nationwide blood shortage, so it’s getting harder and harder to locate blood to bring in for our hospitals,” said Lane.

There is hope on the horizon as the summer winds to a close.

High school and college blood drives typically provide 20-25% of Vitalant’s blood supply.

But Vitalant’s still pleading for anyone who can to donate.

“This is an amazing way to give back to your community, to pay it forward,” said Lane.

To make an appointment, check if you’re eligible to donate, or find a blood drive near you, visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).

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