Flu season, high usage has sapped supply
The Central California Blood Center is desperate for donors — especially those with O-negative blood type — to help with a critically low blood supply.
“We are down to just 10 percent of the O-negative blood supply, and all types are needed,” said blood center spokesman Rob Walker. “The flu season has greatly impacted the number of donors giving blood, and higher than expected usage has sapped our inventory.”
The blood center is the sole provider of blood and blood products for the 31 hospitals in Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Mariposa counties and must collect between 5,000 and 6,000 pints of blood each month to meet the needs of the Valley.
“We rely heavily on our existing donors, but must attract new donors to meet the ever-growing need for blood. Anyone who is healthy and meets the eligibility requirements is needed to give blood,” said Chris Sorensen, the center’s director of community relations and development...