Blood Assurance wants elective surgeries postponed due to blood shortage

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The winter storm we saw this week is continuing to cause a variety of problems. One of those is causing what Blood Assurance says is a supply crisis.

Caitlin Stanley, director of marketing and public relations for Blood Assurance, said, “Honestly we are in need of just about every single blood type.”

Blood Assurance has requested those with scheduled elective surgeries in our area to postpone them as their supply has been depleted to less than a half day’s supply.

Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett donating blood Friday at Blood Assurance. (Courtesy: Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office)

This is due to the effects of the winter storm we saw earlier this week and multiple blood transfusions in recent days.

This comes on the heels of the American Red Cross warning about blood shortages across the country.

Stanley said, “January is just a really tough time for blood centers across the country. We’re coming off of the holiday season. People are traveling, weather, sicknesses, really cause a lot of low donor turnout, and it’s National Blood Donor Month because of that.”

You can truly see how dire the situation is inside the inventory freezer inside the downtown location inside of Blood Assurance.

O negative, which is the universal blood type, they currently only have one box of that here inside their freezer. Additionally,

O positive, which is the most common type of blood type, they only have a box and a half of blood supply. 

Stanley says they are also in desperate need of platelets.

Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett stopped by on Friday to donate himself, as he says first responders know the risks of a low blood supply.

Sheriff Garrett said, “We also see the blood loss, whether it is at scenes, car crashes. With the weather we have had you know the potential for major car crashes happens and that type thing so we’re one major event away from being really bad.”

He is urging fellow first responders and the public to help with donations.

Sheriff Garrett said, “Took me about 45 minutes, 40-45 minutes of my day. It’s quick, they’ll get you in, get you out. As you can see, there’s not a lot of people here today.”

You can either walk in or set up an appointment at any Blood Assurance location.

They will have special hours on Saturday to allow for more donations.

Stanley said, “We’re really encouraging the community to come out and give and save three lives.”