Mississippi health crisis could affect burn victims, cancer patients. Here’s how to help

A 25% decrease in blood inventory since July 1 has resulted in a shortage that is causing health emergencies across Mississippi, according to the Red Cross.

Mississippi’s shortage is just part of a larger trend that is plaguing healthcare facilities.

Citing the high temperatures and the constant hospital demand, the Red Cross has seen a rapid drop in the blood supply. Due to the low supply of type O, the organization has to reduce the distribution of the most common and helpful blood type, creating crises in emergency rooms across the country.

“For trauma patients, each minute of delay can increase the chance of death by 5%,” said Baia Lasky, division chief medical officer for the Red Cross. “For a patient suffering massive blood loss, group O is the most commonly transfused blood type.”

What can I do?

The easiest answer is to donate your blood — particularly if you have types O positive or negative — at your local donation center.

You can make an appointment online at RedCross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit them in person at 612 E Pass Road, Gulfport, MS 39507.

However, if you’d rather donate at a blood drive, click here to make an appointment for the Red Cross-supported events.

• Aug. 19: Edgewater Mall — 2600 Beach Blvd., Biloxi

• Aug. 19: Marble Slab Creamery — 15236 Crossroads Pkwy., Gulfport

• Aug. 20: ATT Call Center — 3051 Bienvielle Blvd., Ocean Springs

• Aug 21: Hancock Whitney — 1430 25th Ave., Gulfport

• Aug. 26: Katrina Memorial Blood Drive — 2600 Beach Blvd.

There are alternatives to the Red Cross locations, as well.

• Mississippi Blood Services — Although the main office is in Flowood, they often have mobile drives and events. To make an appointment, click here .
  
  
• CSL Plasma Donation Center — 9245 Hwy. 49, in Gulfport. To make an appointment click here .
  
  

What do I need to donate?

Before you ever sit down, you must meet a few requirements :

• You must present your identification — whether it is a donor card or your driver’s license.

• You must be 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent).

• You must weigh at least 110 pounds.

• You should be in good health, generally, and you should be feeling well on the day of donation.

You won’t be allowed to donate if you have any of the following :

• Certain health conditions such as active tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis B or C, blood disorders and some types of cancer

• Blood thinning medication

• Recent travel outside the U.S., especially in places with high instances of malaria

• Recent blood transfusions, organ transplants, and some other surgeries

• Pregnancy

What can I expect when I donate?

• Ahead of your appointment, the Red Cross recommends eating a healthy meal and drinking lots of fluids. This can help you feel better during the donation.
• While donating, you can expect to register and fill out a few forms, but this doesn’t typically take too long.
• You will also, most likely go through a short health screening in which you answer questions about your medical history and lifestyle. The nurse or attendant will give you a mini-physical in which they take your blood pressure, your temperature, pulse, and hemoglobin — typically with a finger stick.
  
  
• When you are seated comfortably, a staff member will insert a sterile needle into your vein to collect about a pint of blood. This process takes about 10 minutes.
• Once you’re all done, you should rest for 10-15 minutes and eat a snack to help replenish your energy.
• Rest is recommended for the rest of the day, and you should avoid any strenuous activity.

Although many Americans are eligible to donate blood, only about 3% actually do. The blood shortage affects all of us, so if you’d like to share your experience, sound off in the comments, or you can email me or find me on Instagram.

How old is too old to drive? Mississippi has some strict guidelines for elder drivers