For Gary Smith, medical laboratory scientist at WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, donating blood is something he does a few times a year.
And he’s been donating blood regularly for the last 29 years, recently making his 100th donation to the blood bank.
As a technologist, he knows the need for having enough blood available during a trauma and at critical times.
“I work with doctors and nurses and see the complete blood counts (CBC) of patients with low hematocrits, hemoglobin and platelets,” Gary said.
At WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, Gary and his team members take daily inventories and inform the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank what the needs are and order blood three days a week, or as needed.
Recently, the demand for blood has outpaced the supply, pushing area blood banks to near critical levels. Blood type O is in high demand right now, Gary said.
And it’s becoming a national shortage, explained Julie Glatfelter, laboratory team leader, Blood Resources. The shortage is not due to lack of donors, but rather to increased usage.
Donors are needed to help bolster the supply in our region so that hospitals can continue to care for the needs of patients. Stabilizing the blood inventory through the summer will be important.
With people being more active in outside activities, accidents tend to occur more frequently during this time of year, he added.
“At some point, you will know someone who needs blood,” Gary said. You may have a family member who has cancer or is in an accident. It could even be you someday.”
When a mass transfusion protocol is announced, it’s like a fire alarm, Gary explained. This means there’s an urgent need for blood that requires nine blood products for one round immediately. There may be more than one round required during the emergency.
This happens even at small community hospitals, he said and added that in the last six weeks, there were about six mass transfusion protocols at WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital.
How to give blood
To make an appointment at a WellSpan blood donor center location, please call:
WellSpan Blood Donor Center Apple Hill (York) – (717) 741-8307
WellSpan Blood Donor Center Norman Drive (Lebanon) – (717) 270-8960
WellSpan Blood Donor Center York Hospital – Walk-in to donate on Tuesdays 7 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Or visit cpbb.org to schedule an appointment
Those outside of York and Lebanon are encouraged to connect with our regional partner, Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank, by visiting their blood donation schedule for upcoming events and registration information.
