Scottsdale-based Vitalant facing blood shortage due to coronavirus

PHOENIX — A Scottsdale-based independent blood collector has declared a critical shortage in the state due to the pandemic and is looking to refill its supplies.

Due to shelter-in-place orders, 566 blood drives have been canceled in Arizona since March, resulting in a loss of more than 17,000 uncollected blood donations, Vitalant said in a press release.

Additionally, the resumption of elective surgeries and other medical procedures has caused a 25% increase in the need for blood during the past several weeks.

“We strive to maintain a four-day supply of blood just to provide what patients need, and currently we’re at less than half that for certain blood types,” Chief Medical Officer at Vitalant Ralph Vassallo said in the release.

“It’s absolutely vital — a matter of life or death for some — to have enough blood collected and readily available on hospital shelves when patients need it.”

All blood types are needed, especially for type O, A-negative and B-negative red blood cells. Platelets are always needed because of their short shelf life.

According to Vitalant, it must collect more than 600 blood donations every day to meet patients’ transfusion needs.

Vitalant is urging interested donors are to go online or call 877-258-4825 to set up an appointment.

Follow @KTAR923