SOUTH BEND, Ind—There is a nationwide blood crisis; the United States is experiencing a shortage of blood donations and the South Bend Medical Foundation is facing the same issue. Due in no small part to the coronavirus pandemic, collections are down and with recent traumas at our local hospitals, we have struggled to meet the daily need. The South Bend Medical Foundation is asking the community to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Who can Donate Blood?
Donors must be at least 17 years old or 16 years old with parental consent and weigh at least 110 lbs. We also ask donors to drink plenty of water and eat an iron-rich meal prior to giving blood.
“At the current supply levels, an unexpected event such as a car accident or emergency surgery could quickly deplete certain blood types. This is a concern that impacts the entire community,”
Mary Ankrapp, Blood Donor Recruitment Supervisor at South Bend Medical Foundation.
People interested in donated blood can make an appointment to any of the South Bend Medical Foundation Donor Centers in South Bend, Mishawaka, or Elkhart. For a complete list of public blood drives in the area, visit www.GiveBloodNow.com or call 574-234-1157.
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About the South Bend Medical Foundation: The South Bend Medical Foundation has provided blood donation services to the community since 1951 and is the primary supplier of blood products to Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, and Elkhart General Hospital.
