The Central California Blood Center is joining the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent nationwide appeal, urging both returning and first-time donors to make blood donation a priority in the coming days and weeks.
Blood centers across the country are facing critically low inventories following weeks of declining donations, putting the nation’s blood supply at risk.
The seasonal decline in donations during the summer months — driven by vacations, travel, and fewer school and community blood drives — has contributed to a nationwide shortage at a time when hospitals continue to depend on a stable blood supply to care for patients.
Every blood donation helps ensure hospitals are prepared for emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatments, premature infants, and other lifesaving medical needs. Without an immediate increase in donations, hospitals could face difficult decisions, including delaying non-emergency procedures due to limited blood availability.
All blood types are needed every day for trauma patients, surgeries, cancer treatments, emergency care, and babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Immediate donations are needed to help ensure local hospitals have lifesaving blood available for every patient who needs it.
Supplies of O-negative, A-negative, AB-negative blood and AB plasma have dropped to less than a one-day inventory. O-negative is the universal blood type used in trauma situations when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type.
Eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment to donate as soon as possible.
Appointments, locations, and hours are available at donateblood.org or by calling 559-389-5433.
Donor thank-you offers
• Donate by September 7 and receive a free pint of Umpqua Ice Cream and a Brownie Baker cookie.
• Receive a voucher for free admission to any APCAL Rock’n Ranch event in Madera.
• Be entered for a chance to win tickets to Fresno Grizzlies games and other summer events.
“Blood centers across the country are experiencing a significant summer shortage, and our region is feeling that impact as well,” said Christine Hayes, President and CEO of Central California Blood Center. “We encourage both returning and first-time donors to make blood donation a priority in the coming days. Just one donation has the potential to save multiple lives and helps ensure hospitals throughout the Central Valley have the blood products they need to provide lifesaving care.”