NEW ORLEANS — Blood banks in South Louisiana said Thursday that they are urging people to donate ahead of expected icy weather conditions this weekend and next week.
Paul Adams of The Blood Center, a major blood bank in Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi, said that supply shortages are unfortunately coming at a crucial time for donations.
"Our blood supplies have been severely depleted after a prolonged holiday season, compounded by recent weather-related closures," Adams said on Thursday. "With Mardi Gras day only a month away, we anticipate fewer donors and increased hospital usage."
The shortage in Louisiana is apparently part of a nationwide trend, where weather disruptions have drained supplies, impact medical procedures, like transplants and heart surgeries, according to The Blood Center.
The American Red Cross reported on Monday the lowest number of blood donors nationwide in 20 years.
"Low donor turnout in the past several weeks, increased demand, and the potential for icy conditions in the coming days raise the possibility of area hospitals canceling elective surgeries until blood inventories stabilize regionally and nationally," Adams said.
An arctic plunge is expected to drop Southeast Louisiana temperatures into the 40s, 30s and even 20s, increasing the risk of weather-related hospitalizations.
The Blood Center said donors must be 17 years old, or 16 with a consenting parent, and bring a photo ID. The blood bank has locations in New Orleans at UNO; in Metairie, Marrero, Slidell and Mandeville, Hammond and Thibodaux; as well as in Picayune and Ocean Springs, Miss.
