LEWISTON – Blood donations have dropped to seriously low levels in Maine, the American Red Cross announced Friday.

So far this month, the state is short 450 units of blood, said Eric Lynes, account executive for Red Cross Blood Services. Donations have dropped by more than one-third compared to this time in previous years. Of the eight blood types, five are running at a one-day supply or less, he said.

“We are not able to meet all of our hospital requests for blood products at this time,” Lynes said. “If this trend continues, hospitals may not have the blood they need to handle emergencies this summer,” Lynes added.

He said donors of all types are needed. A recent decline in donations has added up to more than an entire day’s worth of collections.

The summer season traditionally sees a drop in blood donations due to vacation schedules and fewer blood drives sponsored by high schools and universities.

About 20 percent of this region’s blood supply comes from high school and college students. In addition, summer is a season of heightened outdoor activities such as biking, boating, hiking and swimming.

The need for blood to treat the types of injuries that may occur from these activities may also increase, further straining the blood supply used to meet the routine needs of cancer patients and people with other blood disorders.

Blood is a perishable commodity. Red blood cells last 42 days; platelets only five. New donors are needed every day to replenish the supply of all blood products.

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