Virus fears impact region’s blood supply

Multiple blood drives have been canceled this week due to fears of coronavirus infection, leaving Central Texas hospitals and medical centers facing the possibility of critical shortages of blood in the near future. We Are Blood, which is the exclusive provider of blood and platelets to a 10-county area of Central Texas, has issued an “urgent, community-wide plea” for healthy people to donate blood. “(We) are seeing a downturn in blood donations as concern grows in our community,” said WAB’s Nick Canedo. “We want Central Texans to know it is safe to donate blood at our donor centers and mobile drives, and that blood and platelet donations made now will help us meet local patient needs while preparing our community for further impacts from the coronavirus in coming weeks.” Prospective donors may visit any of We Are Blood’s three Austin-area donor centers, and mobile blood drives are scheduled weekly. Not sure if you’re eligible to donate? Read this FAQ. “Making a blood or platelet donation now, or scheduling a donation for this week, will help mitigate lost blood donations due to mobile drive cancellations and prepare us for any further decreases in blood donations in our community,” Canedo said.