Lane County facing blood supply shortage, PeaceHealth requesting donations

Lane County is facing a serious blood supply shortage due to difficulties stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, leading PeaceHealth to ask community members to donate blood "as soon as possible."

Because of the pandemic, there have been fewer blood drives this year, according to a PeaceHealth news release, leading to the shortage. 

“We encourage anyone who is able to schedule an appointment and visit a blood donation site in this critical time,” said Lisa Corbett, a transfusion supervisor at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield.

There is an especially short supply of type O positive and type O negative blood. Donors with those blood types are being fast-tracked for appointments. All are welcome and encouraged to donate.

Donation appointments at the Bloodworks Northwest Eugene donation site, 2211 Willamette St., can be made by calling 541-484-9111 or by visiting bloodworksnw.org/donate.