Brownwood  (Jan. 11, 2022) — A national blood shortage is further stressing the nation’s fragile healthcare system. Vitalant, which services about 900 hospitals across 28 states, including the Brownwood area, currently is experiencing a historic, two-year low blood supply. The fast-spreading omicron variant is the latest COVID-19 complication forcing additional community blood drives to cancel and decreasing the number of healthy and available donors.    

All eligible donors, especially those with the most transfused blood type O, are critically needed to make an appointment now to give in the days and weeks ahead. As a special thank you during January, National Blood Donor Month, all those who give with Vitalant any time this month will be entered into the $5,000 Big Game Giveaway to win one of four, $5,000 prepaid gift cards redeemable by email.* 

Blood donations at Vitalant fell short of the need by more than 4,500 donations in December and the trend has continued into January. In addition to the effects of the omicron variant, severe winter weather in parts of the U.S. has further impacted blood drives, resulting in uncollected donations.  

This shortage is not unique to Vitalant. Associations representing all blood services organizations in the U.S. warned the nation’s blood supply is at a dangerously low level and this trend must reverse to prevent hospitals from having to postpone potential lifesaving treatments.  

Donors urged to act now: make an appointment 

Hendrick Medical Center Blood Drive

Bloodmobile back of Hospital off of Streckert St,

Tues, Jan 18^th  10am – 3pm

Wed, Jan 19^th   130pm – 6pm

Thur, Jan 20^th   10am – 3pm

Appointments encouraged.  Call 877-258-4825  Blood Drive Code:  hendrick

 Donors must feel well on the day of their donation. Like the COVID-19 vaccine, there’s no waiting period to donate for those who receive a seasonal flu vaccine if all other eligibility requirements are met.