Blood donations needed across the Central Coast
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – There's an urgent call for blood donors on the Central Coast.
Blood service provider Vitalant said during the holidays; there are fewer people giving blood.
Jorge Delgadillo is a regular blood donor at the blood center in Santa Maria.
“I normally set my calendar to every four months and just come back,” said Delgadillo. “I think this is gonna be my last one for this year, and the next one is probably going to be the beginning of next year.”
He said this is his way of giving back to the community.
“I think it is extremely important,” said Delgadillo. “You know, my grandfather actually died of a blood disease and I think it is important to donate because we run low.”
Vitalant says Delgadillo is right- supplies of blood are at low levels across the central coast.
“The lowest point the regional blood supply reached was right at the beginning of this past summer,” said Vitalant spokesperson Kevin Adler. “So it wasn’t even during the pandemic. You know, we saw our lowest levels in the past, you know, five to six years- right at the beginning of the summer.”
Workers at Vitalant say over 60% of people are eligible to donate blood, and only 5% make the effort to donate.
The non-profit organization says there are many hospital procedures that would not be possible without donated blood.
“We don't want anyone who needs life-saving blood to grow without, you know, we work hand in hand,” said Adler. “Our doctors are constantly in communication with hospital doctors, making sure each unit is used effectively and efficiently.”
Delgadillo is aware of the number of lives he saves throughout the year.
He hopes the community does the same.
“Something so simple that can be fixed with just you know giving up a couple of hours. not even an hour, sometimes maybe just 45 minutes,” said Delgadillo.
In efforts of the shortage, the blood services provider will have upcoming blood drives across the Central and South Coast.
A gift card will be provided if someone donates blood.
To view a list of blood drives, click here.
