The Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism, which America’s Blood Centers (ABC) is a part of, activated this week ahead of Hurricane Milton. The task force published an October 10th statement that said, “[t]he supply of blood products that were available before Hurricane Milton made landfall were sufficient to meet all patient needs in Florida during the storm and its immediate aftermath. New donations are needed now and in the coming weeks to ensure the continued adequacy of the blood supply.” The task force explained that it, “activated prior to the hurricane’s landfall to ensure optimal monitoring of the blood supply and to prepare for any potential disruptions in blood collection or transportation of blood products in hurricane-affected areas.”
As of today’s task force meeting, no new requests for blood products were made. LifeSouth Community Blood Centers has resumed collections, while SunCoast Blood Centers has opened two fixed site locations as they continue to assess future supply needs. OneBlood’s blood product needs are being met currently. ABC will continue to provide updates as they become available.
The task force previously issued a statement ahead of Hurricane Milton on October 9th that urged eligible individuals to schedule appointments where it is safe to do so. “All blood collection facilities throughout the United States are working together to maintain the stability and availability of the blood supply for all patients who need blood,” explained John Hagins, chair of the task force and president and chief executive officer of The Community Blood Center, in the statement. “However, any disruptions in collections or transportation of blood could adversely impact the blood supply and negatively impact patient care. We are asking eligible Americans to donate blood and, especially platelets, in unaffected areas to help ensure that life-saving blood products will always be available for patients who need them.”