[Photo: CBS]
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) -The Central Valley’s blood center is sending blood supplies to a devastated Gulf Coast and is asking for blood donations for Hurricane Harvey victims.
Dangerous conditions are affecting donor centers in the Gulf Coast area, says Central California Blood Center’s Leslie Botos.
They are now responding to needs there in Texas and Louisiana and are asking donors to come in and give blood.
“What has happened is those blood centers are flooded as are all of the other buildings in the area and they have had to cease their operations.”- Leslie Botos, Director of Community Relations and Development, Central California Blood Center.
People of O-positive and O-negative blood types are particularly needed at this time.
Botos says platelet donors, especially male donors are needed — platelets are a critical component in the support of cancer treatment, and only have a shelf life of five days.
In order to provide blood for the Gulf Coast area, the Central California Blood Center must first meet the increased needs for blood in the Central Valley leading into and following the Labor Day holiday.
• Blood donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment to donate blood or report to a local blood center or blood drive. Visit www.donateblood.org or call for an appointment 559-389-5442.
• The needs of Texas will be long term and it is anticipated that “mutual aid” or “resource sharing” between blood centers will be needed for several weeks.
The Clovis Community Blood Drive at Sierra Vista Mall, a newly scheduled, monthly blood drive, will be available for donors this Wednesday from 2-7 pm inside the Mall near Kohl’s. To sign up for this blood drive, please call 559-416-9426.
Info: www.donateblood.org,
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
