Connecticut in ‘blood emergency’

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz joined Hartford Healthcare and Connecticut Blood Center representatives on Tuesday to raise awareness about a statewide blood emergency.

Summer is typically a “trauma season” for hospitals and the current blood supply is low, according Jonathan DeCasanova with the Connecticut Blood Center.

DeCasanova said there is a shortage across all types of blood, but type O and O negative supply is at the lowest, with just two to three days’ worth.

“We haven’t seen this low of inventory since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said during a press conference Tuesday. “So, we are certainly encouraging folks to roll up those sleeves, come out to donate.”

Type O, known as the universal blood type, is in high demand. Dr. Bradford Sherburne, a medical director with Hartford Healthcare, said type O blood is useful when you have a trauma patient with an unknown blood type.

“That is really the only thing in blood banking that’s of concern or danger, is giving A or B mismatch unit,” he said. “So that’s why when in doubt, give an O.”

During the summer, DeCasanova said donations slow down but the number of patients that need blood ramp up. Decasanova is asking those who are eligible to step up and donate.

Michelle Maiolo is a cancer surivor and employee with Hartford Healthcare. She donates blood whenever she can. She said it is her way of giving back.

“I’m not a doctor, I’m not a nurse, I’m not a surgeon, firefighter, police officer,” Maiolo said. “I’ll never save a life in the traditional sense that we think about, but something as simple as taking an hour of my day and donating blood, I’m saving up to three lives.”

To schedule an appointment at an upcoming blood drive, you can visit ctblood.org or call (800) 283-8385.

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