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.
“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,” said John Hagins, chair of the Task Force. “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.”
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.