Skip to content
America's Blood Centers
  • About Us
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Committees
    • Partners
      • Stop the Bleed National Partnership
      • National Partnerships User Guide
    • ABC Strategic Plan
    • Foundation
    • Career Center
    • Membership Directory
    • Women’s Executive Leadership Community
    • Executive Fellows Program
    • Corporate Partner Council
    • ADRP
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Agenda
    • Priorities
      • Strengthening the Cyber Resilience of the Blood Community
      • Reducing Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens
      • Modernizing the Licensure Process
      • Exempt Blood Center LDTs from Diagnostic Regulation Reforms
      • Diversifying the Donor Base
      • Expanding the Use of Blood in Ambulances
      • Strengthening the Blood Supply
    • Act for Blood
    • State-Based Advocacy
      • Map of State Legislation
      • Legislation We’re Watching
    • Blood Advocacy Week
    • Letters and Comments
    • Grassroots Handbook
    • Action Center
  • Events
    • Advocacy Summit
    • ABC Annual Meeting
    • Rise & Lead Workshop
    • All Upcoming Events
    • 2025 Awards of Excellence
    • Sponsors
  • News
    • Press Releases
    • One Pagers and FAQs
    • All Latest News
    • For Media
  • Publications
    • ABC Newsletter
    • Blood Bulletin
    • U.S. Blood Donation Statistics and Public Messaging Guide
    • Vein to Vein: The Science of Blood Donation
    • Blood Centers Career Video
    • ABC Benchmark Surveys
    • The Value of Blood
    • Advertise
    • Grant Funding Guide πŸ”’
  • For Members
    • Collaborate πŸ”’
    • Recent Member Communications (MCNs) πŸ”’
    • Talking Points πŸ”’
    • Member Snapshot Survey Reports πŸ”’
    • ABC Newsletter Archives πŸ”’
    • Webinar Recordings πŸ”’
      • Advocacy Webinars πŸ”’
      • Donor Management Webinars πŸ”’
      • Human Resources Webinars πŸ”’
      • SMIT Journal Club Webinars πŸ”’
    • Resources
    • Get Involved
    • Directory
  • Resources
    • About Blood
    • Blood Safety
    • Promote Blood
    • Journey of Blood
    • Find a Blood Center
    • Current U.S. Blood Supply
    • DonatingBlood.org
  • HOSA Partners
  • Become an ABC Member
  • Member Login
America's Blood Centers
  • About Us
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Committees
    • Partners
      • Stop the Bleed National Partnership
      • National Partnerships User Guide
    • ABC Strategic Plan
    • Foundation
    • Career Center
    • Membership Directory
    • Women’s Executive Leadership Community
    • Executive Fellows Program
    • Corporate Partner Council
    • ADRP
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Agenda
    • Priorities
      • Strengthening the Cyber Resilience of the Blood Community
      • Reducing Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens
      • Modernizing the Licensure Process
      • Exempt Blood Center LDTs from Diagnostic Regulation Reforms
      • Diversifying the Donor Base
      • Expanding the Use of Blood in Ambulances
      • Strengthening the Blood Supply
    • Act for Blood
    • State-Based Advocacy
      • Map of State Legislation
      • Legislation We’re Watching
    • Blood Advocacy Week
    • Letters and Comments
    • Grassroots Handbook
    • Action Center
  • Events
    • Advocacy Summit
    • ABC Annual Meeting
    • Rise & Lead Workshop
    • All Upcoming Events
    • 2025 Awards of Excellence
    • Sponsors
  • News
    • Press Releases
    • One Pagers and FAQs
    • All Latest News
    • For Media
  • Publications
    • ABC Newsletter
    • Blood Bulletin
    • U.S. Blood Donation Statistics and Public Messaging Guide
    • Vein to Vein: The Science of Blood Donation
    • Blood Centers Career Video
    • ABC Benchmark Surveys
    • The Value of Blood
    • Advertise
    • Grant Funding Guide πŸ”’
  • For Members
    • Collaborate πŸ”’
    • Recent Member Communications (MCNs) πŸ”’
    • Talking Points πŸ”’
    • Member Snapshot Survey Reports πŸ”’
    • ABC Newsletter Archives πŸ”’
    • Webinar Recordings πŸ”’
      • Advocacy Webinars πŸ”’
      • Donor Management Webinars πŸ”’
      • Human Resources Webinars πŸ”’
      • SMIT Journal Club Webinars πŸ”’
    • Resources
    • Get Involved
    • Directory
  • Resources
    • About Blood
    • Blood Safety
    • Promote Blood
    • Journey of Blood
    • Find a Blood Center
    • Current U.S. Blood Supply
    • DonatingBlood.org
October 9, 2024

Hurricane Milton: Blood and Platelet Donations Needed to Maintain Blood Supply

By America's Blood Centers

Bethesda, Md. – As Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall soon, the AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism has activated and is monitoring the blood supply and preparing for potential disruptions in blood collection and transportation of blood products in hurricane-affected areas.

The blood community is currently able to meet the demand for blood throughout the country. However, the impact of Hurricane Milton is expected to diminish the supply of blood products – particularly platelets – across impacted communities. The Task Force is urging eligible individuals to make and keep appointments to donate blood and platelets where it is safe to do so. Each blood and platelet donation requires 24-48 hours to process before being ready to transfuse to a patient, which underscores the importance of maintaining a strong blood supply in advance of emergency situations.

β€œAll 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,” said John Hagins, chair of the Task Force. β€œHowever, 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.”

The Task Force will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as blood needs change. 

Please contact one of the following organizations to schedule an appointment today:

    AABB: www.WhereToDonateBlood.org; +1.301.907.6977

    America’s Blood Centers: www.americasblood.org; +1.202.393.5725

    American Red Cross: www.RedCrossBlood.org; +1.800.RED CROSS (+1.800.733.2767)

About the Task Force

The AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism was formed in January 2002 to help make certain that blood collection efforts resulting from domestic disasters and acts of terrorism are managed properly and to deliver clear and consistent messages to the public regarding the status of America’s blood supply. The Task Force is composed of representatives from U.S. blood services, associations and commercial entities, as well as liaisons from governmental agencies, who work together in an effort to ensure that safe and adequate blood product inventories are in place at all times in preparation for disasters. In addition, the Task Force operates as a mechanism to assess the need for collections and/or transportation of blood should a disaster occur.

AABB serves as the designated coordinating entity for the Task Force. In addition to AABB, members include AdvaMed, America’s Blood Centers, American Hospital Association, American Red Cross, Blood Centers of America, College of American Pathologists, National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match and the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association. Liaisons from the following government agencies also participate in Task Force discussions: Armed Services Blood Program and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration.

Posted in Press Releases
Share this

Recent Posts

  • Over 100 Organizations Thank America’s Blood Donors on World Blood Donor Day
  • America’s Blood Centers Honors Senator Murray and Congresswoman Miller-Meeks for Support of U.S. Blood Supply
  • Over 100 Organizations Launch Blood Advocacy Week 2025 Urging Congress to Make the Blood Supply a National Priority
  • Blood Transfusions and Hospice
  • ABC Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Blood Transfusions in Hospice Care

Categories

  • ABC Newsletter
  • Blood Bulletin
  • Letters and Comments
  • News
  • One-Pagers and FAQs
  • Press Releases

Contact

abc-60-logo

1717 K Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20006

Tel:Β 202-393-5725

Fax:Β 202-899-2621

Link to Instagram Account - Americas Blood Centers
  • About Us
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Committees
    • Partners
      • Stop the Bleed National Partnership
      • National Partnerships User Guide
    • ABC Strategic Plan
    • Foundation
    • Career Center
    • Membership Directory
    • Women’s Executive Leadership Community
    • Executive Fellows Program
    • Corporate Partner Council
    • ADRP
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Agenda
    • Priorities
      • Strengthening the Cyber Resilience of the Blood Community
      • Reducing Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens
      • Modernizing the Licensure Process
      • Exempt Blood Center LDTs from Diagnostic Regulation Reforms
      • Diversifying the Donor Base
      • Expanding the Use of Blood in Ambulances
      • Strengthening the Blood Supply
    • Act for Blood
    • State-Based Advocacy
      • Map of State Legislation
      • Legislation We’re Watching
    • Blood Advocacy Week
    • Letters and Comments
    • Grassroots Handbook
    • Action Center
  • Events
    • Advocacy Summit
    • ABC Annual Meeting
    • Rise & Lead Workshop
    • All Upcoming Events
    • 2025 Awards of Excellence
    • Sponsors
  • News
    • Press Releases
    • One Pagers and FAQs
    • All Latest News
    • For Media
  • Publications
    • ABC Newsletter
    • Blood Bulletin
    • U.S. Blood Donation Statistics and Public Messaging Guide
    • Vein to Vein: The Science of Blood Donation
    • Blood Centers Career Video
    • ABC Benchmark Surveys
    • The Value of Blood
    • Advertise
    • Grant Funding Guide πŸ”’
  • For Members
    • Collaborate πŸ”’
    • Recent Member Communications (MCNs) πŸ”’
    • Talking Points πŸ”’
    • Member Snapshot Survey Reports πŸ”’
    • ABC Newsletter Archives πŸ”’
    • Webinar Recordings πŸ”’
      • Advocacy Webinars πŸ”’
      • Donor Management Webinars πŸ”’
      • Human Resources Webinars πŸ”’
      • SMIT Journal Club Webinars πŸ”’
    • Resources
    • Get Involved
    • Directory
  • Resources
    • About Blood
    • Blood Safety
    • Promote Blood
    • Journey of Blood
    • Find a Blood Center
    • Current U.S. Blood Supply
    • DonatingBlood.org
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
Become a Member
Member Login

Copyright Β© 2025Β Β© America's Blood Centers. All Rights Reserved.

Website by Yoko Co

Scroll To Top