RI Blood Center Urges Community to Make Extra Effort to Donate

RI Blood Center Urges Community to Make Extra Effort to Donate

The Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) is asking the community to make an extra effort to give blood and platelets to offset a decline in donations. 

The decline started in April and has continued throughout May as well as most of June and July. 

"It's always a challenge to maintain healthy blood inventory levels heading into the summer months when blood centers across the country struggle to meet collection goals. It has been particularly challenging recently, and we don't think there's one single reason,  rather multiple factors contributing," said Scott Asadorian, vice president and chief operating officer of RIBC. 

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About 200 units of blood a day need to be collected in Rhode Island in order to meet the needs of patients and hospitals that the blood center serves. 

In Rhode Island, only about 5% of the population donates blood when over 370,000 people are actually eligible to donate. 

The blood center encourages donors to make an appointment whenever possible as it helps ensure the blood supply is steady and avoids the potential for increased wait time for walk-ins. You can find a date, time and location that works best for you. You can also text or call 401-453-8383 anytime.