Officials with the Knox County Health Department reported today that Versiti Blood Center of Indiana says that there is less than a day’s supply of available blood.
Versiti is the primary provider of blood products to Good Samaritan and has been providing blood services and products to local hospitals since 1952.
The center says communities throughout the state face a potential crisis as hospitals don’t have the blood needed treat patients.
Local hospitals through the state have seen a concerning increase in accidents, trauma patients and ER visits which require blood transfusions which has led to the critical shortage.
Knox County’s Community Health Nurse, Susan Yochum, says the heath department has partnered with Versiti for its first community blood drive and encourages all who are able to donate.
The drive is this Thursday from nine to noon in the parking lot of the Bierhaus Building on 2nd Street.
Anyone 17 or older, in good health and weighing at least 110 pounds and who hasn’t donated blood in the past eight weeks are most likely eligible to donate.
Click below to make an appointment.