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The bitter cold, school delays and the height of the flu season are creating the perfect storm for a severe reduction of available blood supplies to area hospitals, says the region's primary blood supplier, Central Blood Bank.

"We've seen a drop of nearly 30% in our blood donations," said Michele Tysarczyk, Executive Director, Central Blood Bank. "We're growing concerned as the trend continues."

When temperatures plummet like this, donors often delay their donation appointments for a few days until the temperatures get back to normal. The problem is that—regardless of outdoor conditions or other factors—a steady inventory of blood is needed in Pittsburgh-area hospitals every day.

"The need for blood is constant," Tysarczyk related. "We ask that our donors reschedule their cancelled appointments and other eligible donors visit any of our donor centers or mobile blood drives."

What's particularly needed are blood platelet donations—specialized blood components that are needed for patients undergoing chemotherapy to control blood clotting. The platelet donation process takes just a little longer than traditional whole blood donation. The procedure is performed at Central Blood Bank donor centers via an automated filtering system. As the platelet components are removed, the other blood components are returned back to the donor.

Central Blood Bank says each unit of blood can help support up to three lives. Donors need to be at least 16 years old, in good health and have a minimum hematocrit of 40%. Written parental consent is required for 16-year-old donors. Men must weigh at least 130 pounds and be at least 5'1" tall. Women must weigh at least 150 pounds and be at least 5'5" tall.

For more information about blood platelet donations and to learn where you can donate, please visit centralbloodbank.org.

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