The week’s snow and ice storms have had a major impact on blood supplies in Maine, occurring almost back to back with an earlier snowstorm.

The storms have made it difficult for the Red Cross to collect enough blood to meet the needs of hospital patients.

“As health care providers, our duty is to be prepared for emergencies and to hold scheduled blood drives under often difficult circumstances,” said Eric Lynes of Red Cross Blood Services. “It is an extremely rare occasion to lose over 80 percent of a day’s collections, but that is exactly what happened yesterday,” he said Wednesday. “The loss of over 150 scheduled donations yesterday combined with the losses we experienced during last week’s storm has put us in a very precarious situation going into the holidays, a time when donations typically slow down.”

Blood supplies are down in Maine by more than 250 pints. The likelihood of more inclement weather has the Red Cross concerned.

“Hospital patients are counting on our blood donors,” Lynes said. “Just this week, we were called upon to provide the blood products for a 27-year-old car accident victim with a ruptured aorta. This would not have been possible if the blood had not been there for her.”

All blood types are needed, particularly type O. The inventory of several blood types are at a one day or less supply.

“I urge our residents to take advantage of days when the weather is favorable and make a point to give blood, especially as we enter into the holiday season,” Lynes said.

For more information about giving blood, or to make an appointment, call the Red Cross at 1-800-482-0743.

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