Amarillo is slowly coming back to life. Governor Abbott has eased some of the restrictions put in place to flatten the COVID-19 pandemic curve and businesses are beginning to open their doors.  At Coffee Memorial Blood Center, their doors have remained open to help save people’s lives. During the COVID-19 crisis the need for blood donations is reaching alarming proportions.

The majority of blood donations for Coffee Memorial Blood Center are received via their mobile blood drives; however during the coronavirus pandemic those drives have fallen drastically, leaving blood supply at a very low amount.

“Coffee Memorial serves 31 counties and 29 medical facilities,” said Suzanne Talley, Executive Director for Coffee Memorial Blood Center. “We draw nearly 125 units a day to meet the needs of our area. 70 percent of that comes from on location drives.”

Coffee Memorial Blood Center is asking for your donation of blood more than ever before during the unprecedented time.

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Types O negative and O positive are in high demand. Only 7% of the population is O negative. However, the need for O negative blood is the highest because it is used most often during emergencies. The need for O+ is high because it is the most frequently occurring blood type (37% of the population).

Nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S. Nearly 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units. The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.

To donate blood please set up an appointment with Coffee Memorial Blood Center by clicking here or by visiting Coffee Memorial Blood Center at 7500 Wallace Boulevard. For more information call 806-358-4563

 

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