Butler Eagle to be host to Vitalant blood drives
Blood that is transfused into a victim of a car crash or other medical emergency has already been on the shelf for about 48 hours, but stored blood usually doesn’t last much longer than that anyway.
Kristen Lane, regional communications manager for Vitalant, said the organization previously had regular blood donation opportunities with Butler Memorial Hospital, but will now have monthly drives at the Butler Eagle.
The first drive at the Butler Eagle will take place from noon until 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, and Lane said she hopes people make the time to donate, because the need for blood remains high in the winter months.
“Vitalant is the provider to all UPMC hospitals, all Allegheny Health Network. We need about 600 blood donations every day to fulfill the need those hospitals have,” Lane said. “People’s schedules change during the holidays, they take off work, they go on vacation, so that disrupts the schedule for people who regularly donate.”
According to Lane, blood donated by people in a region stays within the region. She said Vitalant is only getting about 200 blood donations a day, so blood from other blood banks may be imported to keep hospitals supplied.
Lane also said people with Type O Negative blood are the universal donors, because their blood can be transfused into people with any blood type. Additionally, platelet donations are a constant need, because they are often transfused to cancer patients, and their shelf life is only a week long.
“Anybody with O type blood is very very needed — O negative can be used for any patient at all,” she said. “The patients who need the most platelets are people getting treated for cancer and going through chemo. They have to be used within a week, so we never have a surplus of platelets.”
Vitalant will have a blood drive at the Butler Eagle once a month through June, using the Bloodmobile to carry the necessary supplies.
Tammy Schuey, general manager of the Butler Eagle, said the Butler Eagle was eager to jump in to help Vitalant keep a steady blood supply.
“We’re happy to help Vitalant service the community and provide blood drives,” Schuey said.
To schedule a blood donation appointment with Vitalant, visit its website at vitalant.org. Lane said prior registration is not required, but it is encouraged. The dates scheduled at the Eagle for the first half of the year are Feb. 8, March 14, April 11, May 16 and June 20.
The bloodmobile will park in the back parking lot of the Eagle, 514, W. Wayne St., Butler.
