Hoxworth Issues Emergency Appeal for Donors

CINCINNATI – Hoxworth Blood Center at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center has issued an emergency appeal for donors with all blood types.

As of Tuesday (Aug. 8) morning, the community blood supply was down over 400 units in Type O and almost 200 units in Type A (one unit = one donor).

The current shortage can be attributed to a significant decrease in donors coming in to give blood this summer. Hoxworth saw about 700 fewer donors in July 2006 as compared to July 2005 (7,411 donors in July 2005 compared to 6,672 in July 2006).

"Despite our best efforts to attract donors this summer through marketing and incentive campaigns such as ticket giveaways and prize raffles, we are having a difficult time meeting the needs of our hospital partners and their patients," said Michael Anderson, spokesperson for Hoxworth. “This situation is very serious and we do not expect the blood supply to return to normal levels for at least a week.”

Nationally, there has been a blood shortage for most of the summer. Regionally, the cities of Dayton, Indianapolis and Lexington have all had significant shortages within the past month.

If volunteer donors do not help with the emergency shortage, blood inventories at local hospitals will be at dangerously low levels.

Donors can schedule an appointment at one of Hoxworth’s eight neighborhood donor centers by calling (513) 451-0910 or (800) 830-1091. Hoxworth operates donation centers in Anderson, Blue Ash, UC Medical Center, Downtown, Ft. Mitchell, Ft. Thomas, Tri-County and Western Hills. Operating days and hours vary with each center. Appointments in advance are encouraged for quicker service, but walk-in’s will be taken on a first come-first serve basis.