Alaska Blood Bank Says Nationwide Shortage Highlights Local Need

Alaska’s only blood distributor sent out an urgent plea for blood donations in August. Blood Bank of Alaska told potential donors that there was a looming shortfall in the state’s inventory of blood products, according to APM.

Usually, said Wes Dahlgren, who is in charge of collections for the non-profit, Alaska can reach out to blood banks in the Lower 48 if inventory falls short. But not lately.

“Given the shortage around the country, that’s not possible,” he said.

Dahlgren said donor response to the pre-emptive alert has been outstanding over the last two weeks. But, he said, the need was critical. Usually, the organization has a three-day supply on hand. At the time of the alert, it was down to less than a day’s supply of certain blood types.