DAYTON — For just the third time in 20 years, the Blood Center downtown had to close its doors because of the winter storm.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 5 p.m., the major winter storm that slammed into the region forced the Versiti Blood Center, formerly Solvita, to shut down for the day.
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That’s the third time they’ve had to close their doors in the last 20 years.
Now they are trying to make up for hundreds of missed blood donations at a time when donors are already down.
“Blood donation never gets a snow day or vacation day,” Tracy Morgan, the Vice President of Donor Services at the Versiti Blood Center said. “We are in the process of trying to make up for the loss of that 300 donations.”
With frigid temperatures on top of all the snow, Morgan knows that won’t be an easy task.
They’ll be working to get donors in the door to provide life-saving blood to 24 area hospitals.
“Blood donation might not be your first priority on your calendar today, but we’re asking you to move it up if you are eligible to donate, if you’ve never donated before, now is the perfect time to try,” Morgan said.
The demand for blood is so high that donated blood can be used up in a matter of days.
“I donated December 26 and my blood was used in two days. So the demand is there, and we need more blood donors to step up,” Morgan said.
62-year-old Randall Kryle of Beavercreek has been a longtime blood donor, who made his 100th donation. He started donating in his 20s.
“It’s heartwarming to know that you’re doing something to give back and to help other people,” Kryle said. “It’s totally worth it. It’s just minor, minor, temporary inconvenience relative to helping save lives.”
Kryle said he is already looking forward to his next donation.
You can find out more information on how and where to donate by looking at the Versiti Blood Center website.
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