METAIRIE, La. — The majority of donor chairs were empty when WWL Louisiana visited The Blood Center in Metairie this week.
It's a problem that's been facing local blood banks since the COVID pandemic and recently heightened by a lack of donors throughout the holidays.
The American Red Cross reported in January the lowest number of blood donors nationwide in 20 years.
According to TBC spokesperson Paul Adams, the decrease in local donations is cause for concern as life-saving reserves continue to dwindle to critical levels.
“Day to day, we're looking at about a two-day blood supply," Adams explained. "We need about a four-day blood supply. And it wasn't very long ago that we all were experiencing flooding, that there were shutdowns in the city. When that occurs, people aren't able to come out and donate. So we need those extra days for backup. And if there just happens to be a major emergency like what occurred last year on I-55.”
Regulars like 50-gallon-plus donor Michael Adams have been doing his fair share by showing up every two weeks for more than 30 years. WWL Louisiana shared his story when he reached the monumental milestone last year. What began in an effort to help his brother battle terminal cancer has continued, rain or shine, as he nears the 55-gallon mark.
Not even Hurricane Katrina nor the pandemic could dampen his spirit for giving. And in 2024, he says donating is as important as ever.
“It's not about me, it's what we are doing for other people in the world," said Michael Adams. "We're saving lives, we're saving children, we're saving families. we're saving people that need the platelets and plasma.
"There's not enough people donating, not enough platelets," he continued. "I kind of get a little teared up that some people are suffering because not enough people are donating."
While donors like Michael Adams are literally the lifeblood of the local blood center, TBC's Paul Adams said new donors are desperately needed to keep up with demand from local hospitals throughout southeast Louisiana and parts of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
"The donors we have are amazing," he said. "They are typically giving at least twice a year. It's those new donors we need to replenish that blood supply because every day we need to collect about 250 units of blood. That only happens when people come out, roll up their sleeves and just give an hour of their time."
As for Michael Adams, his message is clear: “Come save lives!"
"This is important to save lives for people that that that need the blood, the cancer patients that the children's hospitals," he said. "Just come be a part of something bigger than ourselves."
On Thursday, The Blood Center spent a rare February 29th doing what it does all year long – enticing others to give the gift of life. It's a 'Leap Day' the center plans on utilizing all year.
“You've got this extra day all year," said Paul Adams. "Call us up at (800) 86-BLOOD or visit us at thebloodcenter.org. If you're a school, business, church, religious organization, or civic group, it's a perfect opportunity to really build on a team and save lives.”
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