PALM HARBOR, Fla. — "The worst nationwide blood shortage in more than a decade" — that's how the American Red Cross described the current need for blood donations as it put out the call for help on Jan. 11. In Tampa Bay, officials with OneBlood and SunCoast Blood Centers said supply is tight.

What You Need To Know

  • The American Red Cross declared a national blood crisis on Jan. 11

  • Red Cross officials say there has been a 10% decline in blood donation since March 2020

  • Officials with OneBlood and SunCoast Blood Centers say supplies in Tampa Bay are tight

  • One participant at a recent blood drive in Palm Harbor said she specifically donated because of the shortage

"It's probably the most challenging time for blood centers across the country," said Susan Forbes, senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations for OneBlood. "And here at OneBlood, we have had our operations really turned upside down for the past two years due to the pandemic."

SunCoast Blood Centers director of community relations, Steve Malave, noted the Red Cross's declaration was made jointly with America's Blood Centers, which he said is the association for community-based, nonprofit blood centers like SunCoast.

"There were a number of blood centers, and still to this day, across the country who may not have had more than a couple of days' worth of blood," he said. "For us here at SunCoast, it was pretty dire."

At a recent OneBlood mobile drive, regular donor Lisa West said she hadn't heard about the shortage.

"I just give blood every eight weeks," West said. "I have O negative, so everyone seems to need that."

Another donor said the shortage is the reason she came to the drive.

"Lately, I've been giving more," said Clementine Conde. "You know, I used to give now and then, but since I'm hearing the word that they really are at a critical shortage, I decided to do my part and step up."

Forbes said Type O blood is especially needed right now. She said the omicron surge has impacted supply, and the pandemic in general disrupted drives from the start. According to the Red Cross, the concern is that the shortage will affect patient care in hospitals.

Malave said 150 donations per day are needed for SunCoast to meet its commitment to the medical centers they serve in Manatee County and points south, as well as Moffitt Cancer Center. He told Spectrum Bay News 9 they just haven't been seeing those numbers.

Both OneBlood and SunCoast said their message for anyone in the public who's ever considered blood donation is that now is the time to give.