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‘Critical’ need for blood donors in Northern Nevada

Sierra Countis
Sierra Sun

There is an urgent need for blood donors in Northern Nevada due to a short supply.

“We are in critical need,” said Lisa Rogers, donor recruitment supervisor for United Blood Services Reno blood bank. “It seems to happen every August.”

There is no blood supply shortage at Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, said hospital spokesperson Teri Smith. Smith said the hospital’s major blood supply comes from Sacramento, with only a small supply from the blood bank in Reno.



However, local accident victims who need specific kinds of treatment are often transported from the Tahoe-Truckee area to Reno hospitals.

Meanwhile, an increase in blood usage by area hospitals, a low number of donations, and the cancellation of many blood drives is causing the shortage, according to the United Blood Services.



Rogers said the Reno blood bank is meeting its local needs to area hospitals, however, the blood center has less than the necessary amount of blood products for all blood types.

The blood bank especially needs the following blood types donated: O positive, A positive, B positive, and B negative, Rogers said.

Smith said there is no blood bank located in the North Shore or Truckee region. For those wanting to donate blood the nearest blood bank is in Reno.

For more information or to donate blood contact the United Blood Services Reno blood bank at (775) 324-6454.


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