The Community Blood Center to ship blood to Florida in aftermath of Hurricane Ian
September 29, 2022
UPDATE (10/6/2022):
On Friday, Sept. 30, CBC shipped platelet products to Florida to help meet the blood needs of local patients. We will continue supporting blood centers impacted in Florida as they recover from Hurricane Ian.
In addition to providing blood products, CBC has also made a monetary donation through the Blood Centers of America Foundation to help those within the blood community who have been impacted by the hurricane personally. To learn more about this effort or to donate, click here.
CBC continues urging all healthy and eligible blood donors to schedule a blood or platelet donation.
The Community Blood Center (CBC) is supporting those impacted by Hurricane Ian and urging healthy and eligible blood donors to schedule a blood donation in the days to come. CBC has blood products prepared for shipment to Florida when transportation routes reopen.
Natural disasters, like Hurricane Ian, can quickly lead to a blood emergency. Blood centers often must shut donor centers and cancel blood drives for the safety of donors and staff. Acting quickly is imperative as the storm rips through. The AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism activated Tuesday to help secure the blood supply. CBC and blood centers across the nation are acting in support of those in Florida and planning to continue assisting with blood needs as Hurricane Ian is expected to make another US landfall within days.
“The blood community is a generous one. In times of need, we rally together to support each other and the patients who rely on blood,” said John Hagins, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Community Blood Center. “We are grateful for the blood donors who stepped up in the days and weeks prior to this event – they could be helping victims of this disaster or patients in hospitals for other reasons who need blood.”
Prior to Hurricane Ian’s landfall in Florida, CBC attempted to send blood products but transportation avenues were already closed. The storm hit at a time blood centers across the nation were already facing low blood supplies. In a statement, the AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism said, “Anticipated disruptions in blood collections – as well as transportation challenges – in Florida and the Southeast throughout the next several days are likely to exacerbate already low inventories, particularly in the affected areas.”
CBC is committed to connecting lives and sharing life, wherever that may be. All healthy and eligible blood donors are encouraged to schedule a blood or platelet donation in the days to come. Donation appointments can be scheduled by clicking here or by calling (800) 280-4102.
CBC will continue monitoring the situation and assisting affected areas as needed. CBC continues meeting the needs of local hospital partners during this time.