Blood Assurance Warns of Critically Low Supply After Dalton Interstate Crash

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF)- Blood Assurance is sounding the alarm after Thursday’s interstate crash in Dalton put a sudden strain on the region’s blood supply.

The organization says the urgent need for trauma blood at Erlanger forced them to send emergency O-positive units, rapidly depleting their inventory.

Director of Operations Brian McDaniel says the crash created an  high demand in a very short window.

“Yesterday we sent about 173 products to Erlanger for those issues,” McDaniel said. “That really drains our product shelves when that happens, and we have a very low shelf life of A-negative and A-positive blood.”

Blood Assurance says the next several days will be critical as they work to replenish their O-positive and other commonly used blood types. Officials say donations made this week could directly help patients undergoing surgeries, battling chronic illnesses, or recovering from trauma.

McDaniel says the need for blood is constant — and donors are essential every single day.

“We need people to come in every day and donate,” he said. “The people who donate today donated yesterday, so we have to keep that in mind. The need never stops. Come in and give us 15 or 20 minutes of your time and leave here knowing you donated three products.”

Blood Assurance is urging anyone who is eligible to donate as soon as possible. Walk-ins are welcome.