Red Cross supplying less blood to regional hospitals

With blood supplies at an emergency-alert level, area hospitals are receiving less blood from the American Red Cross.

Low donation levels in April, May and June have left the Red Cross 1,400 units behind in distribution to 120 hospitals in the Missouri-Illinois blood services region.

"We won't send hospitals everything they request," said David Palmer, Southeast Missouri district manager for the Red Cross. "We will hold back in case a major accident occurs leaving a hospital in need of more blood."

The Red Cross issued an emergency alert at the beginning of June that remains in effect.

Palmer said an alert is issued when blood falls below a one-day supply level.

Jim Williams, communications director for the regional Red Cross, said while there is a two-day supply of blood, part of that has not been tested and is not ready for use.

"We have shipped some blood to local hospitals, but the rest was just donated today," Williams said. "It is really under a one-day supply for an emergency."

Palmer said that the organization has less than a day's supply, or 1,000 units, of blood ready for distribution to the hospitals.

The Red Cross would like to maintain a five-day supply and normally has at least a three-day supply, Palmer said.

The blood supply problem began when the Red Cross collected only 85 percent to 90 percent of normal amounts during April and May, usually strong months for donations, Palmer said. This left the organization behind when Memorial Day and the usual summer slowdown in donations came.

Since the release of the alert, Palmer said there has been a slight increase in donations. The Red Cross has used those donations to slowly try to supply hospitals at normal levels.

In an attempt to ensure an ample blood supply, the Red Cross is increasing recruiting efforts and is opening its new blood donation center at 20 S. Mount Auburn Road for regular donations.

Starting July 1, the donation center will be open on Thursdays and Fridays from 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for donations.

The Red Cross has also scheduled blood drives at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Scott City on Sunday, Westfield Shoppingtown West Park on Tuesday and in downtown Cape Girardeau across from Hutson's Fine Furniture on July 3.

Palmer hopes drives will bring enough donations to replenish the supply.

"This is an opportunity to keep us out of a more urgent emergency appeal," Palmer said.

jwachter@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127