Blood Bank of Delmarva in critical need of blood, platelet donors

SALISBURY, Md. –  The Blood Bank of Delmarva is facing a critical blood and platelet shortage, and they need your help. Earlier this week officials announced an urgent push for the community to donate blood and platelets to help patients in need. Health officials say it takes more than 350 donors per day to supply the 19 hospitals throughout the Delmarva Peninsula with the blood products they need. They tell us currently they are in low supply supplies for O positive and O negative blood and platelets. Which are known as universal blood types. They add that platelets are crucial for leukemia and other cancer patients. But They have a very short shelf life. Which is why donors are needed daily.

“Emergency rooms, hospitals, prefer to have a larger supply of that on shelf because it just protects them for anything that comes through their doors of patients that need blood. And right now we’re at a 1-1 1/2 supply of O positive and O negative,” said account manager for the Blood Bank of Delmarva, Bryan Shepherd.

The blood bank is now urging donors to walk-in any of their centers or call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 to make an appointment. Donors can also make an appointment online here.