There is a desperate need for blood donors in Sarasota. Suncoast Blood Bank is in dire need of A- and O- blood.
A- is among the rarest blood types, while O- is the universal donor type.
Officials say in the past few days, there has been a sharp spike in the need for blood.
“This has been the perfect storm. Car accidents, surgeries, with cancer patients and the time of year. Simply, as we all know, the population swells and so does the need for blood products,” said Jayne Giroux, the director of community development at Suncoast Blood Bank.
“One of the greatest needs is for cancer patients and this time of year when people are down here for the season, they’re still being treated for cancers they may have been diagnosed with elsewhere,” Giroux added.
Suncoast Blood Bank serves Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties.
Visit a donor center or bloodmobile near you or call 1-866-97-BLOOD to make an appointment.
