Note: The attached video is from a report dated back in February.
The Arkansas Blood Institute said Tuesday that it is experiencing an emergency blood shortage due to a rare ice storm that is affecting service areas.
The ABI said their stock of blood has reached a "less-than-one-day supply," while the institute usually maintains a 3 to 5 day supply for local hospitals.
“COVID-19 has put tremendous strain on the blood supply for months, but this unseasonable inclement weather was the real catalyst for a blood emergency in our state,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to give blood, call 1-877-340-8777 or visit arkbi.org to see a list of donor centers and mobile blood drives.
According to a statement released by the ABI, all donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies to identify potential convalescent plasma donors.* Blood drives will be managed according to CDC safety recommendations.