Stanford Blood Center Faces 'Critical' Need For Blood Donations

PALO ALTO, CA — The Stanford Blood Center is facing a critical need for blood donations, especially type O blood products.

The center has less than a four-day supply of type O blood, according to a news release Monday.

“Given current demand, and with the number of cancellations we are seeing, that is not enough to carry us through the upward trend in usage,” Dr. Suchi Pandey, Chief Medical Officer at Stanford Blood Center, said in a news release.

The Stanford Blood Center sent out 15 percent more type O red blood cells than the typical weekly average over the past two weeks.

“While 15 percent may not sound like a lot, it means our current collection of type O cannot meet the need for our regular hospital partners who are treating numerous patients in critical care at this time,” Pandey said.

Blood donations are typically lower during the holiday season due to rainy weather and fewer available donors, but they are especially low this year with the continued impact of COVID-19.

The Stanford Blood Center has donation center locations in Campbell, Menlo Park and Mountain View. There are also blood drives this week in Livermore, Milpitas, San Carlos, and San Jose.

Anyone who donates through Dec. 31 will receive $10 gift card credits for Peet’s Coffee, Lowe’s, Jamba Juice or Chipotle.

Eligibility information for blood donors can be found here.