Over 70 hospitals asked to postpone elective surgeries due to blood shortage

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Blood Assurance is recommending dozens of hospitals to put off elective surgeries after an imbalance in supply and demand of blood donations.

The program is asking that surgeries be postponed at least to Wednesday, Jan. 24.

Blood Assurance says an increase in emergency transfusions and a decrease in donations due to the weather are contributing factors. Thursday’s blood supply at the blood center only included half a day worth of most blood types, the program says.

“It’s important to note that this is the community’s blood supply,” according to Culler. “Blood Assurance is the steward of the blood units. It’s up to the public to make sure we can provide an adequate supply to hospitals treating patients with traumatic injuries and debilitating illnesses. We need you now more than ever.”

The group is pleading for donations at this time as soon as community members feel safe enough to travel.

For updates on closures and delays, as well as information to donate, visit bloodassurance.org.