Blood Shortage Continues

There is still a blood shortage happening across the country. Vitalant Blood Services held a blood drive in Meridian this morning in hopes to combat the issue.

Vitalant blood services representative Nikelle Cooley is an advocate for blood donations. She says since COVID numbers in blood donations have dropped almost by half.

“Pre-COVID, we had donors coming in 300 to 400 in numbers. As of right now, we're seeing that cut into over half now”, said Cooley. “So, a lot of people are not coming out donating blood like they used to because of the fear of COVID.”

Because of the blood shortage, doctors are having to decide when and who to use blood for. Amongst other things surgical procedures, diseases like lupus, and sickle cell are just a few of the things blood is used for daily.

“It’s sad to say that they're having to make those decisions. I mean, it's kind of like a life-or-death situation. You may have someone that needs the blood that won’t meet their demise at that moment, but then you have somebody that's in the operating room on the table needing the blood right then. And so, they have to make the decision as to who's going to get that blood at that point.”

Cooley says if blood donation numbers don’t begin to increase, the outcome could be drastic

“You know. It's not going to be a good outcome. I mean, honestly, just to be totally transparent, people are going to die. I mean, we have to have those blood donations come in. So that's why each and every day I strive, my team strives, this company strives each and every day to get as many blood donations as we can. And we try to encourage everybody to come out and donate.”

To find out how you can donate blood you can call Nikelle Cooley at (601)917-5040 for more information.