Plymouth Blood Bank Says Winter Storm Could Put Supply at Emergency Levels

Dan Waldrop has been donating blood since he was in college.

Now, he’s in his 70s.

“Something I can do that’s helpful to people,” Waldrop says. “Fortunately, I’ve never needed it, but I would want to know if I did, it would be available.”

Unfortunately, donors like Waldrop are becoming more rare. 

The Red Cross says it’s seeing the lowest number of people give blood in the last 20 years and recently declared an emergency blood shortage. 

Memorial Blood Centers in Plymouth hasn’t declared an official emergency like the Red Cross, but the local blood bank is also experiencing a serious shortage.

“We like to have seven to eight days supply on hand,” said Wendy Capetz, senior executive director at Memorial Blood Centers.  “Right now, we are about two to three days and if we have bad weather over the weekend, it’s probably going to go to one to two days.”

Vials of blood taken at Memorial Blood Centers in Plymouth

Memorial Blood Centers in Plymouth is hoping to encourage more people to donate.

“Blood donation is not like a utility that you flip a switch, we need people to come in and take their time to donate for a stranger whose life may be saved from a donation,” said Capetz. 

You can call ahead or just simply walk in at Memorial Blood Centers in Plymouth.

The donation process from start to finish takes an hour.

Wendy Capetz, senior executive director at Memorial Blood Centers in Plymouth

January is also National Blood Donor Month, which gives people another reason to roll up their sleeves.

“A lot of people don’t donate in January,” says Capetz.  “So we want to remind people to start a habit for the year in January and to donate blood on a regular basis.”

It’s a habit Waldrop plans to keep.

“I think anyone can find an hour or two to do it,” said Waldrop. “Should not be that tough to help your neighbors.”

For hours and locations: Memorial Blood Centers

Plymouth